Innovative Timber Constructions

Practical and material orientated academic research has become increasingly important for architectural practice. This is due to several reasons. First of all, it contributes to contemporary concepts in architecture and improves their implementation. Today’s architects are looking for a deeper understanding of technical and technological questions related to architecture: technology, construction methods as well as structural considerations are no longer seen as bothersome necessities, as it was often the case in the past. Second, research is in charge for finding answers to one of the biggest architectural challenges of our time, namely sustainable building. Society’s burgeoning awareness of the urgent need to use renewable materials for building construction is undeniable and has become an important parameter for architectural production. As a result, timber constructions experience a new popularity and the importance of research on timber increased. The potential of this research becomes evident with some of the latest developments and innovations in this domain. The here presented research lines ‘Innovative Timber Constructions’ pursues an interdisciplinary approach and links the three domains of architecture, structural engineering and timber construction. The research not only opens the way to a new era of innovative timber constructions and timber construction techniques. It initializes the unprecedented exploration and study of timber related structures. Indeed timber has the dual capacities to be formed and to retain a given form. Aesthetic and structural qualities of the shown projects have raised a wide range of questions and many still remain to be addressed. There appears to be something remarkable in the interaction of the material and the formal qualities that produces a distinguished quality of design.