coulin

ETH Zurich is currently working on the future of timber construction. Specifically, the idea is for robots to take over the assembly of large-format panels into complex structures. They relieve the woodworker of the heavy lifting and exact positioning of the individual panel parts and make complex substructures superfluous. Only the application of the butt joint bonding according to the new TS3 technology is left to the timber construction specialist.
In this way, around 300 complexly bonded Schilliger large-format panels were assembled into five oversized green shells. These form the 22.5-metre-high architectural sculpture “Semiramis”, which has been standing on the site of the newly emerging Tech Cluster in Zug since June this year. Semiramis was designed by Gramazio Kohler Reearch, ETH Zurich, in collaboration with Müller Illien Landschaftsarchitekten GmbH, Timbatec Holzbauingenieure Schweiz AG and Erne AG Holzbau as general contractors.
Semiramis is a collaborative work that is innovative in many respects. Not only the assembly, but also the planning was computer-controlled. This made it possible to optimise factors such as sun protection, rain protection and plantable area. In the process, the software ensured that the wooden panels remained flat, their size did not exceed the specified maximum value and the structural load-bearing capacity was given. The sophisticated multi-robot assembly process with the four robots cooperating with the help of artificial intelligence is unprecedented of its kind. All this makes Semiramis a lighthouse project in architectural research.

Photo 1: Multi-robot assembly process at ETH Zurich.
Photo 2: Erecting the sculpture
Photo 3: Shell of a shell
Photo 4: Planting of a bowl

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Schilliger Holz AG has been named “Timber Industry of the Year 2023” by the leading Austrian timber trade magazine “Holzkurier”. The magazine praised the company’s innovative strength in developing new building products and testing them on the market. In this way, Schilliger Holz AG is not only advancing its own company, but the entire industry.

The construction of buildings in timber construction is booming not only in Switzerland, but also in France and all over the world. In particular, multi-storey timber constructions are developping very positively. The demand for CLT large-format panels has increased accordingly. In order to satisfy this demand in France and  in the international export markets with domestic wood, Schilliger Holz AG is investing in Volgelsheim in an automated CLT production line.

An edge gluing of all layers guarantees the well-known high quality standard already offered by the Swiss plant. In this way the CLT panels  are designed to meet high structural and esthetical requirements. The installation will be carried out in an existing hall in the plant on approx. 5000m2. The annual capacity in two-shift operation is designed für approximately 50 000m3 CLT. Commissioning is expected to take place in January 2024.

For more information

David Coulin, Communication Schilliger Holz AG

Email : kommunikation@schilliger.ch

Mobile : 079 852 08 75

Photo 1 : Palazzo Méridia, Nice (Photo : Antoine Duhamel)

Legend : Multi-storey wooden buildings like the Palazzo Méridia in Nice are in vogue. Schilliger Holz AG is helping to ensure that the demand for large-format panels in France can be met with domestic wood.

Photo 2: Company premises of Schilliger Bois SAS

Legend : The new, automated CLT production line will be installed in the large hall on the right of the picture.