Berlinovo apartment building – hybrid construction with PEFC-certified timber

18 January 2022 Sustainable construction

Berlin has a new residential complex for students, realized as a timber hybrid construction. PEFC-certified timber in the load-bearing elements has a beneficial effect on the speed of construction, the quality of living and the building’s ecological footprint.

Living space is rare in Germany’s capital, making the search for housing a challenge, especially for students. Berlinovo Grundstücksentwicklung and Brüninghoff have created an affordable housing project, using over 500 m³ of PEFC-certified cross laminated timber.

Two buildings provide space for 101 apartments, characterized by high space efficiency and an attractive design with wooden surfaces. To save space, the apartments are already furnished with a bed, desk, closet and pantry kitchen.

Multiplex construction with a high degree of prefabrication

In planning the building, the construction companies used a concept that had already proven successful in another Berlinovo apartment building. It is based on a technically optimized prototype, taking into account the conditions on site.

An important aspect is the serial construction method with a high degree of prefabrication, which offers planning security, allowing Brüninghoff to complete the building in just twelve months. Essential work steps were done in the factory, so no longer had to take place on the construction site.

Interplay of wood and concrete

To increase efficiency, construction speed and quality of living, load-bearing exterior walls and interior columns were made of wood, while reinforced concrete was used for the floor slabs. The substitution of mineral building materials with wood allows for significant CO₂ savings.

All load-bearing columns and walls have a fire resistance duration of 90 minutes in accordance with the project’s fire protection concept.

For the planning, production and on the construction site, Brüninghoff uses the Building Information Modelling (BIM) method, which enables efficient data management, optimized cooperation between project participants in the digital building model, and collision checks. This ensures greater safety, as planning errors are detected at an early stage.

The project shows that living space can be realized economically, while providing a comfortable living atmosphere. This is ensured, among other things, by the hybrid construction method using PEFC-certified wood as a building material. Thanks to the high degree of prefabrication, the adaptable planning concept could be implemented within a set time frame.

Photos © Brüninghoff