The cross-laminated timber (CLT) building, which will stand in Wielu near Koscierzyna, was designed by APA Wojciechowski Architects. The building's interior wooden structure will also remain visible from the outside, and the office building will be the headquarters of a wood manufacturer.
There are already examples in the world of buildings made of CLT ( Cross Laminated Timber), or cross-laminated timber, being erected with increasing momentum. The European record holder is the Mjøstårnet building in the Norwegian town of Brumunddal, which reaches a height of 85.4 meters. In Perth, Australia, construction is underway on the C6 skyscraper, which is expected to be as high as 186 meters, making it the tallest wooden building in the world. In the Netherlands, in the city of Delft, Europe's first 10-story building made of cross-laminated timber is under construction. It will include more than 100 apartments. The materials used in the building's construction are to come from Europallets and and other wooden waste.
Cross-glued timber office building is being built in Kashubia - in Wielu near Koscierzyna
APA Wojciechowski Architects
A wooden building is being constructed in Wielu
Although on the Vistula the construction using CLT is just beginning, the first buildings can already be seen in the space of our cities. The one erected in the Forest Botanical Garden "Marszewo" in Gdynia [project: Gierbienis+Poklewski], for example, looks extremely interesting. Its mass stands out with black facade cladding, allowing it to blend in with the forest surroundings. It was the first public building in Poland to use this technology. In AiB, we also wrote about Ambient studio's wooden office building project.
Now another office building is being built in Kashubia - more precisely, in Wielu near Koscierzyna. It will have three floors, 1500 sqm and a glass facade. Wood is not an accidental choice - SYLVA, a wood manufacturer, will move into the building. The project was prepared by APA Wojciechowski Architekci studio.
CLT technology can definitely change the way of thinking in the whole industry, says Szymon Wojciechowski, CEO of APA Wojciechowski Architekci.
APA Wojciechowski Architects
CLT wood will be used for load-bearing walls and ceilings. The building's interior wooden structure will also remain visible from the outside, thanks to a glass facade. SYLVA's office building will use materials of its production.
- We are aware of the fact that the buildings we design are not indifferent to the environment. Therefore, at every stage of our work we look for all available solutions, including materials, to minimize the negative impact of the investment. CLT technology can definitely change the way of thinking in the whole industry," says Szymon Wojciechowski, CEO of APA Wojciechowski Architekci. - Importantly, it combines ecological aspects with aesthetic qualities. It allows to create a space that is innovative, visually attractive and friendly to the people staying in it.
The wooden office building will have three floors, 1,500 sqm and a glass facade
APA Wojciechowski Architects
He adds that not only will the columns, beams and ceilings be made of wood, but also the staircase, bathrooms and elevator shaft.
- The entire structure will remain visible, which presented us with an additional design challenge. The architects leading our Kashubian project are Magdalena Rachuta and Ewa Sroczynska," says Szymon Wojciechowski.
The office building in Kashubian Many will be the first project of this type to be completed by APA Wojciechowski Architekci, although the studio has been interested in this technology before, as evidenced by unrealized projects in Wieliczka or on Grunwaldzka Avenue in Gdansk.
Advantages of CLT technology
Among the advantages are the negative carbon footprint of wood and the fact that CLT - thanks to prefabrication - strongly reduces construction time. This construction material has exceptional strength. It can be loaded in all directions - stretched, compressed and crushed. It is therefore suitable for use in load-bearing structures. At the same time, CLT panels are relatively lightweight, which makes them easy to transport and reduces the load on foundations. The material's good insulation properties, in turn, increase the energy efficiency of wooden buildings.
An office building made of wood will be built in Kashubia in just 10 months - It will be made using CLT technology
mat. Allcon
Construction work will take less than ten months. The building, whose general contractor is Allcon, is expected to be completed in spring 2025.
- We are committed to making the new office building our showcase and a model building for the entire industry. On site, we will be able to demonstrate the properties of CLT technology to all interested parties, partners and customers, and prove its capabilities in terms of any construction project," says Szymon Karwowski of SYLVA.
