Locally Densified Timber
Reinforcing wood with only wood
Editors's Choice Winner
Locally Densified Timber is an innovative method to reinforce CLT panels using local wood densification and hardwood plugs. This specialized wood-only reinforcement strengthens joint zones for point-supported slabs, eliminating the need for high-carbon steel connectors and reducing overall material thickness. It offers a resource-efficient, low-impact solution for mass-timber construction and supports circular material practices.
A fantastic innovation in solid wood construction: locally densified timber, combined with pressed hardwood reinforcements, replaces climate-intensive steel elements.
Official Jury Statement
Company/Institution
University of Stuttgart
Country
Germany
Designer(s)
Chris Donghwi Kang & Otto Lindstam
Chris Donghwi Kang is an architect / design engineer with the focus on digital craftsmanship. In his material-centric design practice, he aims to link technical and structural property of material and its functional usage and visual aesthetic.
Otto Lindstam studied engineering physics and received a bachelor's degree in architecture at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. He graduated from the Integrative Technologies and Architectural Design Research master’s program at the University of Stuttgart.