Tuesday, June 10, 2025
German construction company Gumpp & Maier has completed 18 new apartments in Augsburg’s Kriegshaber district, specifically designed for low-income tenants. The project, named “Haus Tür an Tür,” focuses on social, ecological, and economic efficiency. Designed by Streidl, Gilg, Wolff Architekten, the building incorporates prefabricated timber frame exterior walls using Kerto® LVL. The use of wooden elements played a crucial role in streamlining the construction process, while smart design and durable materials kept the project cost-effective.
Wood was chosen as the main material for its ecological and technical properties
The construction project emphasises resource efficiency and healthy living environments with a high proportion of timber. The building’s foundation consists of load-bearing and non-load-bearing exterior walls in timber frame construction, with a massive core providing structural support. Kerto LVL was used in load-bearing wall structures and a total of 500 cubic meters of wood was used in the project. “The client desired an ecological construction method, excluding concrete and steel. By choosing wood, we selected a renewable resource that stores CO2 throughout its entire lifespan,” explains Manfred Gilg from Streidl, Gilg, Wolff Architekten.
Prefabrication increases efficiency, creates cost-savings, and speeds up the entire construction process
Kerto LVL supports cost- and material-efficient construction, which is becoming more important in the building industry. Kerto LVL’s high strength and stability make it ideal for prefabrication, and in addition, wall elements built with LVL are lighter and slimmer compared to massive timber elements because less wood is needed to manufacture the elements. “The precision of Kerto LVL is especially valuable during prefabrication. Minimal deviations help us streamline our processes and allow us to create high-quality components without mistakes”, explains Wolfgang Krettenauer, Project Manager from Gumpp & Maier GmbH These prefabricated wall elements, including windows and facade cladding, are quickly assembled on-site, reducing total construction time.
Focus on timber
The building’s foundation consists of load-bearing and non-load-bearing exterior walls in timber frame construction. In total, 500 cubic meters of wood were used. Wood also absorbs pollutants from the air, improving indoor air quality. “The client wanted an ecological construction method. Cement, concrete, and steel were therefore excluded. With wood, we chose a renewable resource that stores CO2, thus fulfilling the sustainability concept,” explains Manfred Gilg from the architect company Streidl, Gilg & Wolff Architekten. In the later usage phase, a solar system will contribute to efficient building operations. Rainwater will be collected and used, the roof areas will be greened, and spaces for gardening will be provided.
LVL enables cost- and energy-efficiency for high-standard construction
The deep stud level of the exterior walls is also made using laminated veneer lumber (LVL). The decision to use Metsä Wood’s Kerto® LVL products was based on the company’s ability to deliver custom-made laminated veneer lumber in large widths, compared to other suppliers. In the project, beams measuring 63 by 300 millimeters were used. Kerto LVL significantly contributed to the realisation of an efficient and cost-effective frame construction that could easily accommodate energy-optimised wall elements with thick insulation. This ensured that the building met the high Efficiency House Standard 40.
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