Traditional craftsmanship combined with state-of-the-art technology
Whether it’s “sue&til,” one of Switzerland’s largest timber-frame residential projects; the “schorenstadt” housing development in Basel, a flagship project for the 2,000-watt society; or Project Pi, Switzerland’s tallest timber-frame high-rise: Whenever pioneering timber buildings are constructed in this country, Implenia Holzbau is usually involved. It’s no wonder, given that the company has been building with this natural material for nearly 100 years and is considered a pioneer in this field.
This also benefits the employees, as Tobias Hohermuth, Head of Timber Construction at Implenia, explains: “We not only carry out technically demanding carpentry and joinery work but also complex and spectacular projects for which we often break new ground. That’s what makes our work so incredibly exciting and varied.”
A Trailblazer in Digitalization
This unique combination of traditional craftsmanship, an emotionally appealing building material, and state-of-the-art technology makes timber construction a pioneering building technique. In the construction industry, digitalization has advanced further in the processing of no other material than natural wood. For example, 3D modeling, BIM (Building Information Modeling), and Industry 4.0 approaches have long been integrated into everyday work in timber construction, while other sectors are still lagging significantly behind.
Digitalization also shapes the production hall at Implenia Holzbau in Rümlang, which was newly built about three years ago: In the field of timber construction, Implenia has been a top-tier player for decades. This benefits not only clients but also employees—for example, through exciting projects and state-of-the-art technologies. You can actively help shape what is likely the most innovative sector of the construction industry. Our timber construction: Traditional craftsmanship combined with state-of-the-art technology. State-of-the-art technologies are used in production, and the entire process chain—from planning to the construction site—is digitized. For example, every assembly workstation has a computer on which, among other things, the shop drawings and 3D visualizations can be accessed.
For Tobias Hohermuth, however, the Rümlang production facility has another positive aspect: “The timber construction division, with its nearly 100 employees, is all under one roof here. We’re a close-knit team and all pull together. At the same time, we’re also integrated into the bigger picture of the entire company. This opens up additional development opportunities and diverse career prospects for each individual.”
Wood continues to gain ground
Hohermuth is convinced that the importance of wood as a building material will continue to grow significantly: “New technologies will soon open up further application possibilities for us, and more and more hybrid systems are emerging that combine the advantages of wood with those of other materials.” That’s why timber construction is clearly a key focus area for Implenia, says Hohermuth. “Timber construction is a key pillar of the entire company’s sustainability and innovation strategy and is set to be further expanded. We recognize that this growth is driven by our employees. In return, they have the opportunity to actively shape what is currently probably the most innovative sector of the construction industry.”
Some of our current projects
New Tannenbrunn Secondary School, Sissach (joinery and carpentry): Fabrication and installation of parapet elements, as well as doors, wall paneling, window frames, and acoustic ceilings
Renovation of the Main Barracks Building, Basel (carpentry): Reinforcement of the beam system and floor slabs, and renovation of the roof structure
New construction of the Furrer House on the KIM site, Winterthur (carpentry): New construction of a residential complex with 207 apartments certified to the Minergie-P standard using a timber-element construction method
