Where wood construction is taught, it becomes a lesson in itself

In Lützelflüh, Holzbau Schweiz, Bern Section, and the Association of Master Carpenters of the Canton of Bern (VSSM) are jointly building a training center for the woodworking industry. Under one roof, training facilities are being created for carpentry and joinery apprentices, featuring two types of workshops—one for each trade—as well as classrooms, a cafeteria, and rooms for exams, continuing education, and association activities. More than 1,000 apprentices are expected to use the center each year. «The winning project by Atelier G+S is being further developed into a construction-ready timber structure in collaboration with the specialist planners. Timbatec is responsible for the timber construction engineering services as well as the specialized fire protection planning.»

^© Photo credit: Atelier G+S

The 21 × 90-meter building comprises three above-ground stories constructed of wood, as well as a solidly built basement. Workshops, educational and training rooms, offices, and other ancillary spaces are being built on over 7,500 square meters of floor space. The design calls for a classic timber-frame structure with a 7 × 6-meter grid (ceilings 7 meters, joists 6 meters), constructed from Swiss timber with ribbed ceilings and a curtain-wall timber facade. A photovoltaic system is integrated into the flat roof.

The project also combines tradition and modernity in its construction: exposed timber trusses provide bracing and make the load-bearing structure visible. At the same time, modern timber construction methods using cross-laminated timber (CLT) are employed in the frame structure. The timber facade forms the architectural face of the education center.

The workshops for these two types of work place special demands on the timber frame. Heavy machinery, increased live loads, and clearly defined machine locations must be taken into account, as must the deformation, serviceability, and vibration behavior of the large ceiling surfaces. The result is an educational building that will not only house woodworking programs in the future but will also serve as a showcase for modern timber construction.

Timbatec is involved in the project as a timber construction engineer and fire protection specialist. The scope of services includes structural design for timber construction, the development of structural details, and the design of the vertical timber trusses and their connections to the concrete structural system. The interfaces with the masonry structure, the structural design of the curtain wall, and the bid documents were also prepared.

Another key task involves the fire protection plans for the mixed-use facility, which combines educational, workshop, and office functions. The integrated coordination of the timber structural system, masonry construction, building use, fire protection, and architecture is crucial for a safe, robust, and long-lasting building.