Urbach Tower / ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart

Urbach Tower / ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart - Exterior Photography, Facade, BeamUrbach Tower / ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart - Interior PhotographyUrbach Tower / ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart - Interior PhotographyUrbach Tower / ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart - Exterior PhotographyUrbach Tower / ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart - More Images+ 46

  • Institute For Computational Design And Construction, University Of Stuttgart: Dylan Wood Architectural Design Self-forming Curved Wooden Components Research and Development, Achim Menges
  • Institute Of Building Structures And Structural Design, University Of Stuttgart: Jan Knippers, Lotte Aldinger, Simon Bechert Structural Design and Engineering
  • Laboratory Of Cellulose And Wood Materials, Empa & Wood Materials Science, Eth Zurich: Markus Rüggeberg, Philippe Grönquist, I. Burgert
  • Blumer Lehmann Ag, Gossau, Switzerland: Katharina Lehmann, David Riggenbach
  • City: Urbach
  • Country: Germany
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Urbach Tower / ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart - Exterior Photography
© ICD/ITKE

Text description provided by the architects. The Urbach Tower is a unique wood structure. The design of the tower emerges from a new self-shaping process of the curved wood components. This pioneering development constitutes a paradigm shift in timber manufacturing from elaborate and energy-intensive mechanical forming processes that require heavy machinery to a process where the material shapes entirely by itself.

Urbach Tower / ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart - Exterior Photography
© ICD/ITKE

This shape change is only driven by the wood’s characteristic shrinking during a decrease of moisture content. Components for the 14 m tall tower are designed and manufactured in a flat state and transform autonomously into the final predicted curved shapes during the industry-standard technical drying. This opens up new and unexpected architectural possibilities for wood structures, using a sustainable, renewable, and locally sourced building material.

Urbach Tower / ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart - Interior Photography
© ICD/ITKE
Urbach Tower / ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart - Image 50 of 51
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Urbach Tower / ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart - Image 15 of 51
© ICD/ITKE

The Urbach Tower is the first wood structure made from self-shaped components. It serves as a landmark building for the City of Urbach’s contribution to the Remstal Gartenschau 2019.

Urbach Tower / ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart - Exterior Photography, Facade, Beam
© ICD/ITKE

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Address:Urbach, Germany

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Urbach Tower / ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart" 23 May 2019. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/917581/urbach-tower-icd-itke-university-of-stuttgart> ISSN 0719-8884

© ICD/ITKE

乌尔巴赫塔,第一个由自成形构件制成的木结构建筑 / ICD + ITKE University of Stuttgart

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