Italian Technology – Eco-Architecture

Ten years ago, the Paterno brothers founded Xlam Dolomiti. The availability of the raw material wood in the Trentino region and the Italian know-how of the professionals were the cornerstones for a company with a successful future.

In less than one decade, Xlam Dolomiti developed into one of Italy's most important partners for the production of cross-laminated timber elements that at the same time acts as an important reference point for the planning and construction of residential and commercial buildings as well as multi-family houses. The goal is to spread the culture of low environmental impact in which CLT technology and glulam are replacing traditional construction techniques, following the principles of circular economy.

Xlam Dolomiti produces more than 150,000 m³ of CLT elements per year which makes it Italy's biggest supplier by the company's own account. The enterprise is handling large construction projects both domestically as well as abroad. Today, Xlam Dolomiti has more than 50 specialized employees who are working together with local craftspeople and professionals on construction sites all over the world. Due to the partnership with Multiplex Australia, the company designed, produced and delivered two large Australian University buildings: Monash University and La Trobe University. 

Modern buildings with environmentally sustainable architecture

The Frankston Student Center at Monash University opened in September 2019 after only twelve months of construction time. In spite of a distance of more than 16,000 km, Xlam Dolomiti not only mastered the production, transport and logistics of 1668 m³ of CLT and 74 m³ of glulam but on top of that did not run into any issues with project management or delivery times because of the distance between the two continents. The Italian company was chosen because of its special know-how about the product and related engineering, production and transport.

The campus is the biggest building in Australia that was awarded the German Passive House certification. Xlam Dolomiti has acquired an even more extensive stock of knowledge in order to execute more projects by Multiplex Australia, such as at La Trobe University. 

Restructuring the huge Park of Innovation in Italy

The timber company designed, produced and installed all timber structures in the course of the impressive restructuring of the Park of Innovation located at the former Reggiane workshops (aircraft and railway production site). The Park of Innovation comprises 8900 m³ of office space for companies and innovative start-ups. For its restructuring, 848 m3 of CLT and 722 m³ of glulam were used which saved 1256 t of CO2. The building can hold up to 400 people; its measurements are 174 m by 40 m. The Park of Innovation in Reggio Emilia is one of Italy's biggest CLT-made buildings.

Another project realized for an American customer is the John Felice campus of Loyola University in Rome. 800 m³ of CLT and lamellas were used. The building accommodates 30 double rooms on four floors, a hall and an inside church with 200 m². 

After a long and thorough assessment phase, the American management and its technical staff in Rome decided to realize the project – originally planned as a conventional construction – in CLT because it was the only construction method that guaranteed both adherence to the schedule (eleven months) as well as the high planning requirements in terms of energy conservation, earthquake protection and fire resistance. 

Thanks to the experience gathered with Italian and international projects, Xlam Dolomiti expects a doubling of its production capacity by 2020 and is planning to set up a new prefabrication department.