Concrete, asphalt, and cement are among the major drivers of climate change in their production. Students from THMUniversity of Applied Sciences in Vorarlberg have explored how wood can be an alternative in building construction.
The excursion for students in the Degree Courses in Architecture and Civil Engineering was led by Prof. Cilia Tovar, Prof. Dr. Achim Vogelsberg, and Prof. Dr. Markus Blatt. The focus was on timber construction in its entirety – from the industrial production and processing of wood to planning and design, and finally to the realization of demanding building projects. During the trip through the Austrian province, the students gained diverse insights into the region's traditionally timber-based architectural and building culture. Guided tours, site visits, and expert discussions provided knowledge about production processes, current developments in wood processing, and innovative architectural and structural solutions in engineered timber construction.
On the way there, the innovative timber construction project "Paul & Rosa" by Riedel Bau AG was visited in Schweinfurt. The two buildings with six rental apartments serve as a real-world laboratory for low-emission, circular construction using natural materials such as wood, straw, and clay – with around 50 percent fewer CO₂ emissions than a conventional solid building. Accompanying technical monitoring will make the collected operational data usable for future projects.
Another highlight of the trip was the visit to the Werkraum Bregenzerwald in Andelsbuch, designed by the renowned Swiss architect Peter Zumthor and built by the approximately 1,010 member companies themselves. There, they present their products – from furniture to innovative building solutions – across 700 square meters, transforming the building into a showcase of regional craftsmanship. The participants learned about the close interplay between craftsmanship, architecture, and innovation.
The visit to Geiger Holzsystembau also provided practical insights. The students gained direct insight into the industrial prefabrication of modern timber construction elements and the associated production processes. The program was complemented by museum and exhibition visits as well as tours of selected timber construction projects that placed historical developments and traditions in the region in dialogue with forward-looking approaches to building with wood.
The field trip offered students direct access to timber construction, highlighting both its potential and limitations. Theoretical course content was reinforced through concrete projects, and the diversity of timber construction was conveyed firsthand.