The material of the past and future

Timber construction, design with a holistic approach

Timber construction is currently becoming increasingly popular in the Swiss construction industry. Depending on the use and location, timber constructions can offer significant advantages over masonry, concrete or prefabricated buildings in terms of sustainability and comfort. Gruner  is active in the field of timber construction and timber construction design and planning, and with the new competence centre surrounding Mario Hess, Gruner now offers comprehensive services in this area.

Today, around 10% of newly built houses in Switzerland have a supporting structure made of wood or a wood-mix construction - and the trend is clearly rising. This is because wood has many advantages over other building materials, particularly in terms of sustainability, and therefore makes a major contribution to the construction industry's target of reducing CO₂ emissions.

Advantages of wood

Ecological

Wood releases little CO₂ during production, processing and disposal. During utilisation, wood also serves as a carbon sink.

Light

Compared to other structural materials, timber has a better weight-to-strength ratio. The lightweight construction method makes it easier to compact the existing structure.

Time efficient

With 3D planning, prefabrication can be carried out faster and more efficiently, regardless of the weather.

Renewable

Wood is a natural, native building material that occurs in large quantities and also grows back. 

Reusable

The reuse and cascade utilisation of entire components is already possible today.

Comfortable

Wood has a warm surface temperature. This makes the room appear more inviting.

Balancing

Wood can absorb and release humidity. The room climate is balanced by itself.

Calming

Wood has a calming effect on the mind and improves people's health.

Timber Construction in Hirtenweg

Design and construction using wood

Timber construction has become increasingly important in recent years, not least due to its ecological advantages and the possibility of realising sustainable and economical construction projects. However, in order to optimally utilise the numerous advantages of timber as a building material over the entire life cycle of a building, special requirements must be taken into account when planning and implementing timber constructions. These include fire protection, sound insulation, moisture protection as well as static and structural requirements. These requirements make it necessary for timber buildings to be constructed from multi-layered components that are specifically tailored and optimised for each individual project. In addition, the assembly and weathering concept plays a decisive role, which makes holistic planning essential.

Gruner's Timber Construction Competence Centre offers a platform of trained specialist planners who have the necessary expertise to support and optimise the entire planning process for timber constructions. These experts are familiar with the special processes and challenges of timber construction and are able to cover all relevant planning tasks relating to  timber structures - be it in the areas of construction management, building physics, fire protection or building technology. Whereas in the past a civil engineer and a timber construction engineer often had to be commissioned separately, Gruner can now cover these areas of responsibility in an integrated manner at a high technical level.

A key advantage of this integrated approach is the early involvement of Gruner in a project. This makes it possible to take a holistic view and make well-founded decisions that lead to optimal solutions both during construction and in the finished building. This comprehensive timber construction design and planning package enables all aspects of timber construction, from structural requirements to protection against external influences and sustainability, to be taken into account efficiently and effectively.

Mario Hess, who joined Gruner at the beginning of September 2022, is in charge of the new Timber Construction Competence Centre. He brings extensive project experience from an established timber construction engineering firm and works as a timber construction engineer and fire protection planner. His notable projects include the tallest timber high-rise in Switzerland, where he played a key role in the further development of timber as a building material. He has also been involved in many innovative projects that have received national and international recognition. One example of this is the Gastropavillon, which won the Premio de Arquitectura Española Internacional (PAEI). Equally impressive is the office building by Max Felchlin, which was awarded the silver Hochparterre ‘The Best 2019’ prize, as well as the Moos residential development in Cham, which was honoured with the gold Hochparterre prize and the Prix Lignum 2021 (Centre, 1st place) in 2020.

Our services

Timber construction consulting

We offer you our expertise in the form of advisory consultations so that you can make well-founded decisions and find economical solutions.

Timber construction design & planning

We take over the timber construction design & planning for you and coordinate closely with the architects and all other teams required for the project.

Realisation of timber constructions

We support you throughout the entire construction process and, in addition to providing support, also offer construction management and site supervision.

Maintenance of timber constructions

We support you in the operation of timber structures and offer any necessary renovation work and, if required, dismantling of the structures.

You can find more information about our services here.