Traditional craftsmanship combined with state-of-the-art technology
Whether it's "sue&til", one of the largest timber construction residential projects in Switzerland, the "schorenstadt" housing estate in Basel, a beacon project for the 2000-watt society, or the Pi project, the largest timber high-rise in Switzerland: when pioneering timber buildings are constructed in this country, Implenia timber construction is usually involved. No wonder, since the company has been building with this natural material for almost 100 years and is considered a pioneer in this field.
The employees also benefit from this, 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."
Leading the way in digitalisation
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 processing of no other material has digitalisation in the construction industry progressed as far as with the natural material wood. For example, 3D modelling, BIM (Building Information Modelling) and Industry 4.0 approaches have long been integrated into everyday work in timber construction, while other areas are still lagging far behind.
Digitalisation is also a feature of Implenia Holzbau's new production hall in Rümlang, which was built around three years ago: Implenia has been playing in the top league in timber construction for decades. This benefits not only the clients, but also the employees – for example through exciting projects and state-of-the-art technologies. They can play an active role in shaping what is probably the most innovative sector of the construction industry. Our timber construction Traditional craftsmanship combined with state-of-the-art technology Manufacturing uses the latest technologies and the entire process chain – from planning to the construction site – is digitalised. For example, every assembly workstation has a computer on which, among other things, the work plans and 3D visualisations can be called up.
For Tobias Hohermuth, the Rümlang production hall has another positive aspect: "Timber construction with its almost 100 employees is completely united here under one roof. We are a close-knit team and pull together. We are also embedded in the big picture of the company as a whole. This opens up additional development opportunities and diverse perspectives for each individual."
Wood continues to gain ground
Hohermuth is convinced that the importance of wood as a building material will continue to grow strongly: "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." This is why timber construction is clearly a focus area for Implenia, says Hohermuth. "Timber construction is an important pillar of the sustainability and innovation strategy of the entire company and is to be further expanded. We are aware that this growth will be driven by our employees. In return, they get the chance to actively shape what is currently probably the most innovative area in the construction industry."
Some of our current projects
- New construction of Tannenbrunn secondary school, Sissach (carpentry and joinery): Manufacture and assembly of the parapet elements as well as doors, wall cladding, window workstations and acoustic ceilings
- Conversion of the main barracks building, Basel (carpentry): Reinforcement of beams and floor slabs and renewal of the roof structure
- New construction of Haus Furrer KIM Areal, Winterthur (carpentry): New construction of a residential complex with 207 flats certified according to the Minergie-P standard in timber element construction.