Timber-Glass-Composite Girders for a Hotel in Switzerland

A high-tech hotel was planned for a national exposition in Switzerland in 2002. The building was to be ecologically friendly and sustainable. In addition, for a planned re-erection at a different location after the exposition, it had to be demountable yet still comply with the highest standards of quality and comfort. Timber as a construction material was given special consideration for ecological and manufacturing reasons as well as for its environmental sustainability and recyclability. The outer walls were constructed using a wooden frame system; the pillars in the inner part are made of full tree trunks. The load from the greened roof is transferred to the structure by girders, which support the roof at a span of 6m. The girders are a composite of timber and glass as the primary load-carrying components.