TREND REPORT 2024
Wooden Grids: Experimental Timber Construction
Timber construction is experiencing a renaissance driven by technological innovations and sustainability. Wood is increasingly being used in hybrid constructions alongside concrete. The use of local timber species, previously considered unsuitable, is now a sign of the times. This year, the ICONIC AWARDS: Innovative Architecture have recognised several projects that employ wood in unconventional and experimental ways. These projects demonstrate new approaches for the use of timber in both new construction and renovation projects, including high-rise buildings, educational facilities, and hospitality projects.
Hotel Bergeblick: Experiments in Timber Construction
The studio Beham Architekten has created an experimental timber building in Bad Tölz, nestled within the foothills of the Alps. The hotel consists of a matrix of vertical and horizontal wooden beams, inspired by the adjacent city forest. For the project, architect Sebastian Beham employed a combination of different construction methods, each used according to specific needs. The guest wing was built using a hybrid construction of wood (in a timber frame construction) and concrete, which provided the necessary fire and sound insulation. In the public area, a wooden skeleton construction with cross-laminated timber ceilings was used, as fire and sound protection were less critical there. The thermally and structurally separate skeleton construction allows for later revisions of the exterior elements without thermal bridging.
When selecting the wood, the architects opted for spruce, a type of wood that is otherwise rarely used in construction projects. To strengthen it, the regional timber was sliced, weak spots were removed, and the beams were glued together. Open end grain joints were protected from rot by a PU sealant, eliminating the need for metal coverings. This project was made possible by the client's trust and numerous liability waivers, and not least by the experimental spirit of the architectural studio.
Modern timber construction is characterised by fire protection regulations, structural requirements, and material standards, which often make experimental building difficult or even impossible. The building type-e in Bavaria aims to ease this by enabling the use of unconventional materials and construction methods. The Hotel Bergeblick also conforms to this building type.
Erlebnis-Hus St. Peter-Ording: An Adventure in Wood
Holzer Kobler Architekturen built a mixed-purpose building on the coast of St. Peter-Ording using stilt construction 2.0. Vertical and horizontal wooden beams form a wooden matrix with observation platforms and glass fronts that offer views of the surrounding biotope. A metal slide winds through the open wooden facade. The Erlebnis-Hus integrates an indoor playground, a restaurant, and a tourist information centre.
The building's wooden matrix is combined with a reinforced concrete foundation for the necessary stability. Siberian larch was chosen as the material due to its durability. For this project, the joints were designed in such a way that they could dry out continuously through constant airflow. A PU coating was not feasible due to the local conditions.
Other exciting projects include:
HOLZER KOBLER ARCHITEKTUREN: Erlebnis-Hus St. Peter-Ording
BEHAM ARCHITEKTEN: Hotel Bergeblick
MARQUES ARCHITEKTEN: Francesco Lucerne
DORNER \ MATT \ ARCHITEKTEN: Community Centre Lech am Arlberg
Shaping diversity in social encounters
A new mindset is shaping architecture: Innovative concepts are increasingly born from specific challenges and targeted pressure rather than unlimited freedom. Particularly in the field of building within existing structures, it becomes evident how architects find the balance between preservation and new construction by creatively utilising and interpreting existing structures. This approach gives rise to spatial concepts that sometimes proceed gently, sometimes radically, always aiming to find site-specific solutions, thereby creating future-proof and adaptable living environments. The winners of this year's ICONIC AWARDS: Innovative Architecture are a testament to this approach.
The conversion of the old Dresden Blockhouse into the "Archive of the Avant-garde" is an outstanding example of how respectful handling of historical structures combined with bold interventions can result in surprising solutions and new usage possibilities. The baroque exterior of the building, originally constructed in 1732 as a guardhouse and rebuilt in the 1980s after severe war damage, remains untouched due to heritage protection. However, a radical transformation occurs inside: A massive grey concrete cube, seemingly floating in the centre of the building, becomes the heart of the new spatial concept, providing space for a research facility and art collection. This intervention not only creates a modern functional use for the 1,900 square metres of space but also gives the building a new, forward-looking identity—without compromising its historical substance.
Less radical but equally inspiring is the Kuilongfang project in Lianjiang, Fujian. Here, a historic district was carefully modernised and transformed into a vibrant residential area. The architects relied on traditional materials and reinterpreted classical construction methods to preserve cultural identity and foster a sense of community. Challenges—in this case, preserving cultural heritage in a modern living environment—lead to thoughtful and site-specific architectural concepts. These projects illustrate that exceptional architecture emerges when it considers both the current and future needs of people and uses existing structures as a resource and source of inspiration for new developments.
Exemplary Projects:
Archive of the Avant-garde - Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos
annenhof Quarter - HKF Hölzl Knote Frischholz Architects and Interior Designer
Loccum Monastery Library Extension - Pape+Pape Architects