The new quality standards open up additional markets for LOC Holz by convincing architects and planners, who have not built in wood before, to use CLT. “Thanks to the new surfaces of the LOC elements, wood is increasingly being used as a design element. Our clear goal is to become the market leader in the solid wood sector in terms of quality,” managing director Rudolf Ortner emphasizes.
The rift-sawn laminations with their “standing” tree rings, which give them their simple appearance and make LOC Holz a premium supplier of CLT, have many advantages. The rift cut reduces the natural expanding and contracting behavior of the wood, thereby minimizing the risk of cracks forming.
CLT for the youngest
One interesting project is currently in the construction phase: the crèche in Katsdorf. Five units are to be completed and ready for occupation in approximately one year. 120 m³ of CLT and 70 m³ of solid structural timber will be used for the building.
Andreas Wögerbauer from Hentschläger Holzbau, the company carrying out the work, is enthusiastic about the fact that both the building material and all the involved trades come from the region. “During assembly, everything went hand in hand. Rapid sealing is essential, especially when it comes to wooden buildings. In this case, the roof was finished while the building was erected,” Wögerbauer explains and also highlights the just-in-time delivery and the high quality of the elements.
Florian Hartmaier, architect at Two in a Box Architects, adds: “It was clear from the beginning that wood should be used as building material, and we are very happy that it stayed that way. Also, the goal was to have as much wood remain visible as possible. Part of the building has a flat roof so that additional stories can be added at a later point.” Two more groups could be added as a result of the extension.
Designed to be multifunctional
Another, slightly smaller, project can be found in the courtyard of software and tax consulting company Count IT in Hagenberg. “The idea was to design the courtyard of the U-shaped company building like an arena in order to make it a multifunctional space,” Count IT managing director Peter Berner explains.
The CLT Cube with its dimensions of 6.5 by 6.5 by 6.5 m also inspired the name of the event location: Cube 49. It is located on the ground floor and garden of the building and is used for both company and private events. The approximately 40-m²-big area is used as a stage. In everyday work, the structure, which is also equipped with electricity and water connections, serves as a break or meeting room.
Recently, Count IT also hired an event manager to organize regular music or cabaret events. The CLT Cube, which is clad in black corrugated iron on the outside and has a LOC Supreme surface on the inside, will certainly make an impression on many guests.
Natural through and through
For gardening company Langeder from Perg, it was clear years ago that the next project would involve a wooden building. “We work with nature and wanted this to be reflected on the outside as well,” owner Johann Langeder explains.
No sooner said than done: When the decision was made to have the office and employee rooms expanded, Langeder opted for cross-laminated timber from Upper Austria and worked with regional suppliers.
Inside the two-story building, particular emphasis was placed on having bright, light-flooded rooms with visible Supreme surfaces. Once completed, the building will offer 330 m² of office space and 150 m² of washrooms and break rooms. Langeder even visited LOC Holz’s production site to see how the elements are manufactured.
