-
Architects: ICD University of Stuttgart
- Area: 16 m²
- Year: 2019
-
Photographs:Thomas Mueller, Ackermann GmbH Photo Jens Kestler, Hans Drexler
Text description provided by the architects. The IBA Timber Prototype House presents a new take on micro-architecture. Effectively a log cabin turned on its side, it combines the benefits of traditional low-cost timber construction with advances in computational design and fabri- cation technologies.The project explores a novel solid timber building system to economically create environmentally sound, architecturally expressive, mo- no-material building envelopes.
In contrast to the horizontal stacking of typical log construction, here the sol- id timber elements are arranged as staggered upright frames. Thus the ver- tical elements are oriented in the strong direction of the wood which allows for sawing slits in the solid timber without comprising its structural capacity. These thin slits serve as stress-relief cuts, which prevent the solid timber from splitting. This ensures dimensional stability and airtightness, both significant issues in traditional log construction. At the same time, the slits are utilized as dead-air chambers, reducing thermal conductivity and increasing the insula- tion values of the material. Digital fabrication is employed to produce high-pre- cision, airtight joints for connecting the timber elements without the need for any metal fasteners or adhesives.
The resulting, highly sustainable mono-ma- terial building system acts as structure, enclosure and insulation, achieving compliance with stringent German energy saving standards.The fully integrat- ed computational design and fabrication approach allows for gently twisting and curving walls and ceilings.They not only offer the possibility to maximize the ratio between available space and envelope surface, but also intensify the architectural experience of this unique micro-house.
