Timber construction

The topic area "Timber Construction" is dedicated to the further development of timber construction through efficient adhesive joints, the increased use of hardwood, and improvements in safety and production.

High-performance building materials, competitive processes, and a high degree of design freedom ensure that wood remains a building material of the future. The focus is on the further development of load-bearing structures and the transfer of the latest achievements in timber construction from pilot projects into practical applications. Key drivers for this are digital transformation and the availability of improved materials.

This makes it possible to further enhance the performance of wood as a building material and promote innovation in timber construction. The widespread application of sophisticated wood technologies requires close collaboration between architects, engineers, and research institutions. Interdisciplinary approaches and a strong research focus contribute to further establishing timber construction as a sustainable and efficient solution in the construction industry.

Strategic goals

High-performance building materials, competitive processes and a high degree of freedom in design ensure that wood will play a role as a building material of the future.

Key drivers for this are digitalization and the availability of improved materials. Specifically, the following strategic goals are at the forefront:

Wood has an outstanding image in terms of quality, sustainability, emotion and cost-effectiveness. Design, trendsetting and function enable wood
a pioneering role.
Timber construction supports and promotes the creative freedom of architects
and engineers and enables economical implementation for building owners
and institutional investors.
Switzerland is the world technology leader in timber construction.
Timber construction products manufactured in Switzerland and timber construction know-how are
in demand worldwide.
High-performance and marketable hardwood products are established in timber construction.
Highly resilient supporting structures and delicate cross-sections are made possible.
High standards of training and further education ensure the availability of excellent specialists.
Timber construction and wood-based building materials are an essential part of the training and continuing education of architects and civil engineers.
In the booming sector of multi-story buildings, wood achieves a
Market share of 20% (renovation, densification, extension).
Digitalization and construction processes complement each other symbiotically in timber construction and are a
inseparable connection. Timber construction plays a pioneering role in the entire
construction process.
Research and development supports the development of high-performance building materials.
Prefabrication and standardized solutions in production and processes
also position timber construction as the most economical construction method.
Customers appreciate the high living and working comfort with the natural
Building material wood.
Switzerland maintains its liberal building regulations, in which the legal framework allows for the equal status of wood in the construction industry.

Measures and proposed actions

Measure: Raise awareness among customers and investors about the advantages of modern timber construction

Proposal for action: No specific areas of action

Measure: Strengthening research in the field of timber construction

Suggested actions:
- Efficient adhesive bonds
- Efficient material combinations
- Increased use of hardwood
- Improvements in safety and manufacturing
- High-performance structures; the corresponding bonding and joining techniques in the high-performance sector as well as the building technology must be considered and optimized
- Reliability and safety of buildings
- End-to-end digital value chain (5D model with planning-construction-operation)
- Industrial manufacturing processes

Measure: International marketing of the extensive know-how in Swiss timber construction through technology exports, license sales and joint ventures

Proposal for action: Development of business cases and business models

Measure: Standardization for competitive, sustainable wood products with higher quality and operational reliability

Suggested actions:
- New products and systems optimize construction processes, reduce complexity and effort on the construction site and thus promote simple solutions.
- Standardization should be viewed in the sense of system separation.
- Recycling at the end of the use phase is supported by standardization.
- Ensure compatibility between systems to ensure customer safety (e.g. in the event of fire).

Measure: Strategic expansion of networks to improve communication and coordination within the industry

Proposed action: No specific fields of action

Measure: Cross-sector cooperation on overarching topics such as energy transformation or life cycle costs

Suggested actions:
- For new construction: material efficiency (also for high-performance structures)
- For renovations: space efficiency

Measure: Promote new industry organization, interdisciplinarity and start-up culture in timber construction

Proposal for action: Further development of training, with specialist skills in the areas of economics and business administration, ecology and industrialization

Measure: Promote a positive image of timber construction

Suggested actions:
- Communicate facts and emotions in a way that is appropriate for the target group.
- Initiate a cross-sector assessment of all building types with regard to economic efficiency and quality. A holistic view must consider the entire value chain, including environmental impacts and life cycle costs.

Measure: Integrate digital transformation into all levels of training and thus promote an attractive professional profile

Proposal for action: Training throughout the forestry and timber industry takes digital transformation into account

Measure: Active participation in standardization at national and European level

Proposed action: No specific fields of action

Projects of our members

Below you will find the table of projects. Select the measure relevant to you, and the projects will be listed by approval year, funding organization, project title, and institution.

2022	ETH Zurich	Speed2Zero	ETH Zurich IfB Institute of Building Materials
2018	VSS	Waterproofing systems and bituminous layers on bridges with wooden decks	BFH Institute for Timber, Structures and Architecture
2016	FOEN WHFF	Quality assurance of timber structures	BFH Institute for Timber, Structures and Architecture
2023	Innosuisse	Regenerative construction «Think Earth» (Flagship)	ETH Zurich IBK Institute of Structural Engineering
2023	High-Tech Center Aargau	Feasibility of digitizing the CNC plate processing process chain	BFH, Institute for Digital Construction and Wood Industries

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Completed measures and the latest findings from the S-WIN network

The latest findings from the S-WIN network are published here every six months.

International projects and funding programmes

Horizon Europe

Description: Supports research and innovation in various fields, including sustainable forestry and wood technology.
Homepage: Horizon Europe

LIFE Programme for the Environment and Climate Action

Description: Funds projects on environmental conservation and biodiversity, including sustainable forest management.
Homepage: LIFE Programme [ungültige URL entfernt]

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)

Description: Provides support for rural development, agriculture and forestry.

InvestEU

Description: Mobilizes private investment to promote sustainable projects, including timber construction.
Homepage: InvestEU

Just Transition Fund

Description: Supports regions in the transition to a climate-neutral economy, including sustainable forestry.
Homepage: Just Transition Fund [ungültige URL entfernt]

Interreg Programmes

Description: Promotes cross-border cooperation in Europe, including in the field of forestry.
Homepage: Interreg

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