In hybrid buildings, concrete and timber play a complementary role with each other, so that the best features of these two building materials can be combined and provide superior solutions overall.
As an experienced timber construction expert, we know the advantages of other construction methods and combine them with the strengths of timber construction. Especially in multi-story residential houses and commercial buildings, combining concrete and steel with a timber system structure can bring various benefits: large spans, easier sound and fire protection, and simplified installation of building technologies are all possible.
The classic hybrid construction consists of a skeleton structure in reinforced concrete with insulating wall elements in timber. The supporting structures are made of steel or reinforced concrete, the ceilings in in-situ concrete, and the building envelope in highly insulating timber elements.
Hybrid construction as the optimal solution
For multi-story buildings, hybrid construction relies on the strong properties of concrete, which enables large spans, simple sound and fire protection and simplified installation of building technologies.
Strengths of concrete construction/skeleton construction
- Costs: Thanks to the material and the efficient installation method, concrete floors are very cost-effective.
- Statics: Large spans and individual room sizes are easy to realize.
- Reinforcement: The reinforcement can be easily realized with a skeleton construction and concrete panels.
- Sound/fire protection: The concrete floor meets the required values for sound insulation, due to its mass and reasonable floor structure and good connection details. By selecting a non-combustible structural system, it also meets the fire protection standards. Wires and pipes are installed and embedded in concrete and thus sealed off.
Strengths of the timber system construction for facade
- Insulation/airtightness: Timber system construction walls show their strengths in the good and compact thermal insulation. At the same time, the multi-layered construction ensures good sound insulation against external noises. The advanced prefabrication provides perfect airtightness.
- Planning ahead: The prefabrication requires the planners to solve the details before starting construction. This offers clarity in the interfaces, ensures cost certainty and enables efficient implementation.
- Quality assurance: Prefabrication under the optimal conditions in the factory enables a reliable high-quality standard, without being affected by bad weather such as low temperature and rain.
- Schedule assurance: Windows are installed in the factory, which improves the quality of installation and guarantees airtightness. In addition, the building is rainproof and ready for further expansion right after it is erected, thus guaranteeing the construction schedule.
Hybrid construction is another way of building that is economical and sustainable. It is a system choice depending on the framework conditions, which vary from project to project. The early integration of specialists is crucial for the project quality, cost-effectiveness and identifying the optimal solutions.
Hybrid construction offers optimal solutions for reaching high quality and cost competitiveness, along with an ideal environmental life cycle assessment, especially in multi-story buildings.
