Mono-Material Wood Wall

Abstract

The project seeks to create a building envelope that functions as structure, enclosure, and insulation,which is assembled from one solid timber construction element type. Wood has clear environmentalbenefits when compared to other standard construction materials such as steel and concrete, a goodstrength-to-weight ratio, relatively high thermal insulation, and low production costs. This researchseeks to leverage these characteristics to simultaneously reduce the number of material layers intimber building envelopes while improving the building physics performance. Thus, the environmentalimpact of buildings can be reduced during planning, construction, operation, and disposal. The projectproposes a system that reduces material layers and improves envelope performance by combiningcontemporary fabrication technologies with traditional woodworking techniques. Design tools shouldallow for compelling formal opportunities and facilitate fabrication and construction. The systemmanifests as a free-form, curvilinear log-cabin. Solid timber beams are used to minimise binders andfillers found in composite wood products, and the entire primary construction is achieved with purewood joinery. CNC machining allows for the precise joining of members to achieve robust, easy-toassemble, structural and airtight facades. By sawing deep slits into solid timber beams, the resulting airchambers improve thermal insulation values up to 30% compared to comparable solid wood assemblieswhile also relieving naturally occurring internal stresses. Computational design algorithms generatetoolpaths and construction data directly from simple input curves, enabling direct coordination ofarchitects, engineers, and contractors. To evaluate the system, multiple prototypes are fabricated totest constructability, thermal conductance, and airtightness, including a demonstrator building to testfull-scale implementation. Laboratory tests and the successful completion of the IBA: Timber PrototypeHouse demonstrate the potential for this renewable material to fulfil the requirements of contemporarybuilding envelopes and open the door for the development of all-wood multi-storey facades.