In matters of sustainability and environmental protection, wooden curtain walls improve on the efficiency of traditional walls built with materials such as concrete or steel.

The Wood IoT Wall project seeks to exceed these expectations with an even more innovative focus, with economic backing by the Basque Government and the ERDF, within the framework of the Hazitek programme.

The objective of this project is to further improve wooden curtain walls with cutting-edge technology and innovative proposals. The plan includes the creation of an advanced BIM model for curtain walls, in conjunction with a digital twin that provides smart assistance in its design, construction and scalability.

This system aims to optimise the energy efficiency of curtain walls through detailled management of aspects such as ventilation, shade, lighting and temperature.

Gymnasium München Nord, Alemania | Arq: h4a Gessert + Randecker Generalplaner | Product: VIGAM: oak glulam beam

New: radiata pine curtain wall

This year’s new development is marked by the tests conducted on radiata pine. To date, research to design a smart wooden curtain walls had been on the only oak glulam in the world with the CE marking for structural use.

The tests on pine have been very positive, which opens up the possibility of applying this technology to other species. An interesting fact is that each wood not only has its own characteristics, but also its own advantages in terms of application in different industrial sectors.

In this case, the radiata pine curtain wall would not have been possible without the CE marking for structural use of the radiata pine glulam wood of GRUPO GÁMIZ

Accompanying us on this adventure are Uxama, Carpintería Irastorza, Genelek and Tecnalia.

Energy efficiency achieved with beauty, elegance and sustainability

That is the true objective of R&D+i: being able to live in a better world without sacrifices. In the case of architecture, construction and industry, wood provides sustainability, function, elegance and beauty.

Thanks to research at Grupo Gámiz for example, in addition to designing and manufacturing the only single oak glulam in the world with the CE marking, we are able to make curved beams in any measurements. This boosts sustainable architecture, as we help architects shake off any limits to their creativity and their drive to respect nature.

Similarly, our glulams enable the development of curtain walls that, combined with glass and occasionally with other materials such as aluminium, result in more beautiful, radiant, elegant and natural façades.

Grupo Gámiz, innovating since 1942

With the Wood IoT Wall project we are taking a step further in perfecting the spaces where we live our lives with maximum energy efficiency.

Improving our products, protecting forests and contributing to our customers’ processes are the main starting points for our everyday work, which began in 1942. Today we are continuing along the same path of innovation and sustainability, working day by day in search of the best primary and secondary processed wood products.

Click on the link to discover how they can help you with your project.

Wood products for industry

La entrada The most natural material and the smartest design unite to build and protect the environment se publicó primero en Grupo Gámiz.

The commitment to innovation in construction materials has given rise to an interesting paradox: wood, present in architecture since it began, in Neolithic times, has become the material of the future, that which will mark the way architecture will evolve.

Technology has played a large part in this development. The progress made in the structural capacity of glulam wood has given architects greater freedom to design their projects with greater sustainability and warmth. Until now, using only solid wood sometimes entailed conceding some creativity in the designs.

With the oak glulam beams with the CE marking for structural use, we gain elegance and sophistication along with function.

In addition to its load-bearing capacity and creative freedom, glulam wood is lightweight, has a lower carbon footprint, contributes to energy efficiency, and provides warmth and well-being. And now, with the arrival of oak glulam beams for façades, all these generic advantages are enriched by the touch of elegance and distinction of one of the most exquisite fine hardwoods there is.

See how oak makes the difference in these eight real examples of oak glulam wooden curtain walling, summarised here, which you can enjoy in greater depth by downloading this free ebook.

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1. Maison de l’Ordre des Avocats

• TYPE OF PROJECT: Offices. Institutional building
• LOCATION: Paris (France)
• ARCHITECT: Renzo Piano Building Workshop
• DATE OF EXECUTION: 2018-2019
• PHOTOGRAPHY: © L.Zylberman / Graphix-Images

2.Cambridge Biomedical Campus

• TYPE OF PROJECT: Medical research centre
• LOCATION: Cambridge (United Kingdom)
• ARCHITECT: Herzog & de Meuron
• DATE OF EXECUTION: 2017-2019.
• PHOTOGRAPHY: © Herzog & de Meuron

3. Gymnasium München Nord

• TYPE OF PROJECT: Secondary school. Elite sports school
• LOCATION: Munich (Germany)
• ARCHITECT: h4a Gessert + Randecker Generalplaner
• DATE OF EXECUTION: 2015
• PHOTOGRAPHY: © Zooey Braun Fotografie

4. General Secretariat of the European Parliament

• TYPE OF PROJECT: Zero-energy building
• LOCATION: Luxembourg
• ARCHITECT: Heinle, Wischer und Partner
• DATE OF EXECUTION: 2015-2021
• PHOTOGRAPHY: © Heinle, Wischer und Partner

5. Enovos

• TYPE OF PROJECT: Headquarters
• LOCATION: Esch-Sur-Alzette (Luxembourg)
• ARCHITECT: Jim Clemes
• DATE OF EXECUTION: 2014
• PHOTOGRAPHY: © Jim Clemes

6. Vocational training centre, Sulingen

• TYPE OF PROJECT: Education Vocational training centre
• LOCATION: Sulingen (Germany)
• ARCHITECT: BKS Architekten GmbH
• DATE OF EXECUTION: 2017
• PHOTOGRAPHY: © Ralf Buscher

7. Eichendorff school

• TYPE OF PROJECT: Education Primary school
• LOCATION: Stuttgart (Germany)
• ARCHITECT: Hausmann Architekten GmbH
• DATE OF EXECUTION: 2019
• PHOTOGRAPHY: © Detlef Göckeritz

8. Obermenzing school

• TYPE OF PROJECT: Education Secondary school
• LOCATION: Munich (Germany)
• ARCHITECT: Auer Weber Assoziierte GmbH
• DATE OF EXECUTION: 2019
• PHOTOGRAPHY: © Aldo Amoretti

Download the ebook for access to more information and images of each project.

In this publication, each project is given context and ample illustration with various high quality images. If you’d like to find out more about the application of oak curtain walling, download our free ebook.

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La entrada 8 real examples of oak curtain walling on façades se publicó primero en Grupo Gámiz.

The fact that wood is a building material experiencing an upturn has been seen for some time. In reality, rather than just a current trend, it would be ideal if sustainable, certified wood with structural capacity were here to stay. In the end, it may well be the material that can best help architecture finally become sustainable architecture.

To the qualities of wood as a natural and ecological material —in addition to beautiful, elegant and warm, of course— we must add technology. Research has helped glulam wood achieve extraordinary levels of structural quality. As proof of this we have VIGAM, the only oak glulam beam in the world with the CE marking for structural use, designed and manufactured by Grupo Gámiz. As well as this project that we’re talking about today.

Tübingen City Hall | Arch: a+r Architekten GmbH | Product: VIGAM: Oak glulam.

‘Wood IoT Wall’. A step further in energy efficiency

We know that wooden curtain walling provides greater efficiency than conventional curtain walling (concrete, steel, aluminium, etc.). The Wood IoT Wall project aims to go even further, an ambitious objective funded by the Basque Government and the ERDF through the Hazitek programme. 

Compared to curtain walling models used currently Wood IoT Wall differs in the concept of its design with emerging technologies and capacities. For example, the project anticipates the generation of a complex BIM objective of curtain walling, as well as a digital twin for smart management of this curtain walling, and provision of knowledge, traceability and action on aspects of the structure related to energy efficiency: ventilation, shade, lighting, temperature, etc.

To make this reality, this adventure has participants who are exceptional in the world of construction, wood, industry and research. Grupo Gámiz is accompanied by Uxama, Carpintería Irastorza, Genelek and Tecnalia.

Smart curtain walling has to be wood

Today wooden curtain walling is the sustainable alternative to other applications with materials that are less respectful of the environment. This sustainability is also related to efficiency, as shown by the protagonism of wood in passivhaus buildings.

Agricultural centre, Salez | Arch: Andy Senn Architektur GmbH. | Product: VIGAM

So it is logical that when studying the creation of smart wooden curtain walling wood is the main material, like in this project, Wood IoT Wall, in which GRUPO GÁMIZ is participating with its R&D department… and with all the enthusiasm of people working here. We’ll keep you informed!

La entrada Innovation: GRUPO GÁMIZ is participating in a smart curtain walling project se publicó primero en Grupo Gámiz.

The Italian Renzo Piano (Pritzker prize 1998) is one of the most well-known architects in the world. He is also one of the most tireless voices on the need to engage in design and construction with respect for the environment. His defence of sustainable architecture can be read in numerous interviews and statements and, of course, it can be seen in his work.

Renzo Piano’s close relationship with Paris began in the 1970s, when he created the Pompidou Centre alongside Richard Rogers. The French capital is home to one of the branches of his RPBW studio, which was responsible for creating the new Palace of Justice, located in district 17 of the city.

Maison de l’Ordre des Avocats: façade with wooden curtain walling

One of the main buildings in this complex is MOdA, the headquarters of the Paris bar association, where wooden curtain walling can be seen. This sustainable solution for lightweight façades is an option that is used ever more frequently by architects thanks to the beauty of the wood and its structural abilities.

The wooden curtain walling at MOdA was built with VIGAM, the only oak glulam beam in the world with the CE marking for structural use, designed, manufactured and distributed by GRUPO GÁMIZ.

The Maison de l’Ordre des Avocats | Arq: Estudio de Renzo Piano | Producto Grupo Gámiz: Viga laminada de roble – Muro Cortina | Foto vía ©L.Zylberman/Graphix-Images

Maison de l’Ordre des Avocats | Arch: Renzo Piano studio | Grupo Gámiz Product: Oak glulam – curtain wall | Photo courtesy of ©L.Zylberman/Graphix-Images

Maison de l’Ordre des Avocats | Arch: Renzo Piano studio | Grupo Gámiz Product: Oak glulam – curtain wall | Photo courtesy of ©L.Zylberman/Graphix-Images

Maison de l’Ordre des Avocats | Arch: Renzo Piano studio | Grupo Gámiz Product: Oak glulam – curtain wall | Photo courtesy of ©L.Zylberman/Graphix-Images

Maison de l’Ordre des Avocats | Arch: Renzo Piano studio | Grupo Gámiz Product: Oak glulam – curtain wall | Photo courtesy of ©L.Zylberman/Graphix-Images

Maison de l’Ordre des Avocats | Arch: Renzo Piano studio | Grupo Gámiz Product: Oak glulam – curtain wall | Photo courtesy of ©L.Zylberman/Graphix-Images

Maison de l’Ordre des Avocats | Arch: Renzo Piano studio | Grupo Gámiz Product: Oak glulam – curtain wall | Photo courtesy of ©L.Zylberman/Graphix-Images

Transparency, exchange and functionality

Curtain walling is this ideal choice to transmit one of the symbolic ideas that sustain this project by Renzo Piano: the transparency of the institutions responsible for upholding justice. From the outside, everyone can see the comings and goings of the people who work there.

Maison de l’Ordre des Avocats | Arch: Renzo Piano studio | Grupo Gámiz Product: Oak glulam – curtain wall | Photo courtesy of ©L.Zylberman/Graphix-Images

In addition, the building and its adjacent squares have been designed to serve the other activities typical of the Court of Justice and, likewise, form part of the public life of the neighbourhood.

La entrada A symbol of transparency manufactured in wood se publicó primero en Grupo Gámiz.

The circular economy is a concept of consumption based on zero waste. The aim is to put into practice the opposite of “disposable”. The idea is that everything that is used (is consumed), can be reused, recycled or reconverted at the end of its useful life. Exiting the circle means failure: converting that particular product into waste.

There are more and more companies and sectors that understand that the current model of consumption is not viable for a healthy planet and, consequently, to guarantee our survival and that of other living beings. Sustainable architecture aims to seek new roads in design and construction that help to protect the environment and, at the same time, improve people’s lifestyle habits.

Image of the circular economy

How can we get into the circle of sustainability?

The big question that arises in the profession is whether in practice it is possible to develop a circular economy in architecture. To respond to this, many architects are starting to focus a large part of their attention on the essential element of any project that they want to make reality: the construction materials.

We might not yet be ready to design buildings with absolutely all components able to be reused. In fact, today 54% of demolition materials are not reused, and go directly to landfill. But all indicators point to a very different way of building in the future. The route is starting to be set out clearly by society’s ecological awareness, world legislation and the scarcity of some materials.

Oak House School | Arch: Trasbordo arquitectura y gerencia de construcción S.L. | Product: Ventilated façade – Accoya® tongue and groove units

Let’s start, as always, with wood

Wood has been helping architecture to evolve practically since its origins. Today it has become, again, an essential building material, in sustainable innovation that drives this art towards its ecological targets.

Wood is, in itself, a natural resource. Its intrinsic qualities as organic matter present it as the sustainable material par excellence: recyclable, reusable, reconvertible. Using wooden components in construction is a big first step in integrating architecture into the circular economy.

The good news is that the advantages of wood increase with its structural properties, which make it possible for many traditional products considered decorative to earn greater importance as construction components.

VIGAM: the only oak glulam beam in the world with the CE marking for structural use

Certified wood for structural use is a solution sustainable for architects who are creative and respectful of the environment. With VIGAM, the only oak glulam beam in the world with the CE marking for structural use, manufactured and distributed exclusively by GRUPO GÁMIZ, it is possible to design, for example, wooden curtain walling without the need for steel or aluminium.

European Southern Observatory (ESO) offices | Arch: Auer & Weber – Munich | Product: Oak glulam – curtain wall

With this option, professionals can achieve a lightweight façade with warmer and more attractive interiors, with the natural personality and elegance that only wood can provide.

What is most important is to have the vision that it is possible to change the world and to act on it. Many architects already do so every day, trusting wood as the most reliable building material for projects that aspire to quality, as architecture has been doing for 12,000 years.

La entrada Architecture is key in the circular economy se publicó primero en Grupo Gámiz.

Sustainable architecture is converting wood, an ancient material, into the innovative building material of the future. Its known virtues of warmth, beauty and elegance are complemented with the growing values of ecology and sustainability.

In the matter that concerns us today, there are many studies that demonstrate how well wood responds against fire. And despite the fact that wood is fuel (and the poor reputation this has given it in the popular imagination), it is true that no material can resist fire.

What we do know, first of all, is that fires occur for external reasons, not because of the characteristics of the material used. Secondly, the statistics are clear that the real hazard is inside the building, which is what burns first (furniture, decoration, clothing, etc.).

The effects on the structure come later. And yes, that is where, under the spotlight, the excellent role of timber components used in construction in contact with fire can be seen.

Wooden house

The only building material that protects itself against fire

The fire resistance of a construction component is calculated by measuring the time during it is able to continue fulfilling its function in a fire. The three main values are resistance, seal and insulation.

In this regard it can be stated that wood, thanks to its natural properties, is the only building material that protects itself against fire. 

As it is a natural thermal insulator, wood has a low thermal conductivity, which means its temperature decreases gradually toward the centre. At the same time, it is able to slow combustion because the carbonisation of its surface impedes both the penetration of heat and the release of gases.

Finally, as wood is very unlikely to dilate with heat, in a fire the timber components do not subject structures or walls to great pressures

Oak House School | Arch: Trasbordo arquitectura y gerencia de construcción S.L. | Product: Ventilated façade – Accoya® tongue and groove units

Technology to further improve this resistance

If there are no flames, wood needs a surface temperature of more than 400ºC to start to burn in the short or medium term. With fire, the surface would still need to reach almost 300ºC for a time before it starts to combust.

In support of these natural conditions, technology in the manufacture of wood products is always progressing in matters such as sustainability and efficiency, so there are currently a number of manufacture techniques that improve wood’s resistance against fire (sacrificial sections, retardant products, etc.).

New safe and sustainable architecture solutions in wood

Every day, architects are seeking new design and construction inspiration that will enrich their projects from a creative, functional and sustainable point of view. The possibilities of quality certified wood and, in this specific case, the virtues of wood products with regard to fire, enable this natural, ecological material to be an exceptional protagonist once more in significant architecture projects all over the world.

Proposals such as wooden curtain walling, the ideal solution for embellishing and bringing sustainability to the interior of lightweight façades, are possible thanks to products such as VIGAM, the only oak glulam beam in the world with the CE marking for structural use, manufactured and distributed exclusively by GRUPO GÁMIZ.

Another way to add style, efficiency and safety in exterior cladding is to opt for ACCOYA® acetylated wood, providing beauty, elegance and, above all, durability. This all-terrain material for exteriors is sustainable and natural, and comes with a written 50-year guarantee.

Residence in Rosario Manzaneque | Arch: By More Arquitectos | Product: Cladding of the exterior façade – Accoya® horizontal scantlings

Wood is making headway in the XXI century and restoring its place in the world

That place is the architect’s drawing board and, consequently, constructions of all types. There, thanks to its quality, wood shines once more as a decorative or structural component. A prestige it lost for some time due to unwarranted myths regarding fire.

San Francisco Fires, 1906 | Photo courtesy of Defensacentral

Because in fact the famous fire that destroyed San Francisco in 1906 was not caused by the flammability of the wooden buildings. In reality it was not just one single fire, it was hundreds, which were triggered by various gas explosions caused by the earthquake. The fire passed between the buildings (wooden or not) that burned without remission.

And as if this was not enough, many other fires were caused by the owners, who had insured their buildings against fire, but not against earthquake

La entrada Did you know that the great fire that destroyed San Francisco did not have anything to do with wood? se publicó primero en Grupo Gámiz.

In these mentally unsettling times, with radical changes in how we see the world, architecture cannot remain on the sidelines. Its role as a trigger for new ways of living and sharing urban spaces has become even more important with the covid-19 crisis. It is in this extraordinary panorama where an innovative, effective, sustainable, resistant, beautiful building material with versatile applications begins to take on importance: wood.

It is strange, and yet logical, that in the final stretch of first quarter of the XXI century we are witnessing a rediscovery of natural building materials that have accompanied human beings practically since the dawn of architecture. Its renewable values (wood retains carbon, instead of releasing it into the atmosphere), its warmth and its durability complement the great creative possibilities of glulam wood, benefits that are achieved through technology and the structural certifications.

Glulam wood | Photo courtesy of  Plataforma Arquitectura

The big advantages of glulam wood

Glulam wood is a great ally of architects who do not want to limit their imagination. Its versatility makes it possible to create large, long, very wide or even curved parts.

Its beauty provides warmth, a natural atmosphere and elegance to all types of buildings, whether historic (restorations) or modern (new builds).

Wander Wood Pavilion | Product: Glulam wood | Photo courtesy of Plataforma Arquitectura

Glulam wood has great resistance and durability, perfect to withstand the inclemency of the harshest environments, including a high relative humidity.

Despite its resistance and capacity, it is much lighter and more stable than other structural materials such as concrete and steel.

Starting with the fact that it is combustible, innovations in the design and manufacture of glulam wood have turned it into a material with excellent behaviour in the event of fire. 

Using glulam wood reduces construction time, as the products necessary are quickly available from the catalogue.

And of course, one of the biggest advantages is that it is a sustainable building material, that helps protect the environment and plant the seed of a healthier world for generations to come.

Innovation: wooden curtain walling with oak glulam beams

At GRUPO GÁMIZ we manufacture VIGAM, the only oak glulam beam in the world with the CE marking for structural use. Our glulam beams are being used in projects all over the world to give a new touch to lightweight façades with wooden curtain walling. A touch that brings sustainability and beauty to our lives.

Enovos, Luxembourg | | Arch: Jim Clemes | Product: Oak glulam – curtain wall

The result? Interiors with warmer, more natural and ecological façades. Thanks to glulam wood in general, and to oak glulam beams with the CE marking for structural use in particular, a good number of professionals that contribute to sustainable architecture have increased the creative possibilities of their designs.

La entrada Sustainability in architecture is more creative with glulam beams se publicó primero en Grupo Gámiz.

The concept of sustainable architecture seeks construction and building solutions that prioritise all that is sustainable and ecological and that, at the same time, spur creativity and imagination in projects.

In this regard, sustainable construction materials play a very important role. The versatility of wood, a natural material (together with stone, one of the mainstays of architecture since the beginning), brings it to centre stage in the revolution in façades: wooden curtain walling.

New General Secretariat of the European Parliament, Luxembourg | Product: Oak glulam – wooden curtain wall

Sustainability starts with the façade

Architects’ shop talk usually mentions the façade as the key to a project. This is not just the first impression the building gives, it is also, to a great extent, its capacity for sustainability and energy efficiency.

There is talk of sustainable façades, principally when in their development favours energy savings by making use of the sunlight and effective thermal insulation. Technology has advanced in the design and construction of profiles, lightweight façades and ventilated façades. Nevertheless, the latest innovation in façades is the structural use of wood.

Cambridge UK | Arch: Herzog & de Meuron | Product: Application of curtain wall – Oak glulam

Wooden curtain walling: beautiful, sustainable and functional

Façades are now much more sustainable thanks to wood. Architects are making use of the advantages of wooden beams for structural use to create beautiful, sustainable curtain walling.

In this type of curtain walling the passage of light is guaranteed as with other materials, but the design has greater sustainability with the renewable properties of wood, its virtues as a material with a low energy consumption (much less energy is invested in its production than in concrete, aluminium or steel and, therefore, fewer greenhouse gases are produced) and its capacity as natural thermal insulation.

And of course, the aesthetics of the façade gain from the personality of wood, with its sensations of warmth, elegance and naturalness.

Maison de l’Ordre des Avocats | Arch: Renzo Piano studio | Grupo Gámiz Product: Oak glulam – curtain wall | Photo courtesy of ©L.Zylberman/Graphix-Images

VIGAM: the only oak glulam beam in the world with the CE marking for structural use

At GRUPO GÁMIZ we manufacture VIGAM, the only oak glulam beam in the world with the CE marking for structural use. We obtained this certificate of compliance in 2013, issued by the Materials Testing Institute of the University of Stuttgart (MPA Stuttgart, Otto-Graf-Institut). 

The technology, resistance, function and beauty of VIGAM makes this beam ideal not only as a component for interior design and decoration but also in projects with significant sustainable demands. For example, it is essential in building wooden curtain walling, where the beauty of oak becomes, in addition, a functional resource in achieving an ecological façade.

In conclusion, wood is today, more than ever, a sustainable alternative already available to architects who seek an environmental commitment and creative freedom in their work.

La entrada The latest technology in sustainable façades: wooden curtain walling se publicó primero en Grupo Gámiz.

Sustainable architecture seeks construction, urban planning and habitability responses starting with a way of living, and creating, that respects the environment. It is a philosophical attitude that nevertheless requires real resources such as environmentally-friendly techniques, clean technology and ecological construction materials.

In this regard wood is the perfect ally of committed architects. Accompanying human beings since time immemorial, its natural beauty complements its properties as an ecological, recyclable and sustainable material.

Residence in Luis Manzaneque | Arch: By More Arquitectos | Product: Cladding of the exterior façade – Accoya® horizontal scantlings and oak glulams

Wood stores CO2 that is not released into the atmosphere

CO2 or carbon dioxide is a natural gas present on the planet and necessary for most living beings. Nevertheless, its extraordinary growth due to the use of fossil fuels is responsible for global warming and the greenhouse effect. What happens is that large amounts of CO2 displace the oxygen.

Wood, and the products manufactured with this material, protect our atmosphere as they are able to lock the CO2 inside, “imprisoning” the gas and, therefore, not releasing into the air.

Experts assure that building a house with wood as the basic building material prevents the emission of up to 60 tonnes of CO2 for every 100 m2.

Swedish forest

A natural material that protects the environment from its production

At the same time, the process necessary to produce wood as a building material needs a minimal amount of energy, as wood is a natural material. Manufacturing cement, steel or aluminium, for example, entails a huge energy cost, far from the energy recommendations that protect the planet and promote sustainability.

Finally, wood is an ecological building material that acts as natural thermal and acoustic insulation, so many buildings made using wood products do not require investment, or the use of non-sustainable materials, to achieve this comfort.

Certified sustainable wood

This drive for respect for the environment must have rigorous certification. Wood products that ensure the sustainability, survival and repopulation of forests and their care in the most honest and fair way possible are essential to be sure that the wood products used protect the planet.

In this regard, at GRUPO GÁMIZ we have the most important sustainable certifications, such as PEFC, FSC and EPD.

The CE marking, wood as the structural alternative to other non-sustainable materials

At GRUPO GÁMIZ we manufacture VIGAM, the only oak glulam beam in the world with the CE marking for structural use. This certification makes it possible to use our glulam beams to design sustainable structures with the beauty of oak.

Music School, Getxo | Product: Oak glulam | Photo courtesy of  El Correo

For example, many architects are currently opting for wooden curtain walling. With VIGAM the beautiful, ecological lightweight façade is a reality present in projects that seek the elegance and personality of wood.

Without doubt, wood is the sustainable material par excellence, and an essential resource for sustainable architects, who already have access to structural, sustainable and beautiful alternatives, beyond concrete, steel and aluminium.

La entrada Wooden architecture against climate change se publicó primero en Grupo Gámiz.

The CE marking or Certificate of Compliance (Conformité Européenne in French) is a certificate awarded by the European Union. Obtaining it means that the product can be sold in Europe without any restrictions.

There are special CE marking regulations for construction products. The legal and technical requirements are so strict that the CE marking practically acts as quality standardisation worldwide, as many countries take note of it when placing their trust in certain products.

CE marking

The CE marking is also necessary to sell wood used for the structural purposes in Europe. We are talking about any timber component intended for construction, such as beams.

VIGAM, the only oak glulam beam in the world with the CE marking for structural use

The CE marking ensures that a construction product complies with the quality and safety requirements defined in the Construction Products Regulation 305/2011

1. Mechanical resistance and stability
2. Safety in the event of fire
3. Hygiene, health and environment
4. Safety and accessibility of use
5. Noise protection
6. Energy savings and thermal insulation
7. Use sustainable of natural resources

GRUPO GÁMIZ designs and manufactures VIGAM, the only oak glulam beam in the world with the CE marking for structural use, which is part of a catalogue of timber beams that goes way beyond interior design and decoration.

Refurbishment of the Santa María cathedral in Vitoria-Gasteiz | Arch: Leandro Cámara | Product: curved oak glulams

How is the CE marking in structural wood obtained?

To obtain the CE marking the manufacturer must first know the European regulations. They then have to design and manufacture their product in line with them, and finally evaluate it based on the requirements specified in the standard UNE-EN 14080:2013 for the species included in this standard. Once this objective has been achieved, the intervention of an external organisation authorised to validate these results is required.

In the specific case of wood species that are not standardised or listed in the standard, as is the case for oak, the CE marking must be obtained with the ETA (European Technical Approval).

The CE marking (also known as the CE Certificate of Conformity) as structural timber was issued for VIGAM oak glulam beams by GRUPO GÁMIZ in 2013 by the prestigious Materials Testing Institute of the University of Stuttgart (MPA Stuttgart, Otto-Graf-Institut). In addition to being pioneers, GRUPO GÁMIZ is still today the only manufacturer in the world of oak glulam beams with the CE marking for structural use.

The advantages of oak glulam beams with the CE marking for structural use in sustainable architecture

Thanks to this certification, VIGAM wooden glulam beams for structural use can be used to build detached houses, restore historical monuments or buildings and, in general, for any structural use that requires aesthetic and sustainability objectives.

There are infinite possibilities thanks to the advantages of timber as a building material:

• Wood protects the climate
• High load capacity: Wood has a high load capacity but is lighter than other construction materials (steel, etc.)
• Dimensional stability: wood is a highly developed building material.
• Wood burns safely: unlike other construction materials, the behaviour of wood in a fire is predictable and can be controlled.
• Minimum environmental impact: Wood obtained sustainably ensures that other trees will grow again in that environment.
• Wood is comfortable: it smells good and creates a very pleasant atmosphere. It is a warm building material that does not take heat from the human body.
• Wood is especially suitable for prefabrication.
• Wood provides variety in construction design.
• Wood does not generate waste: it can be recycled easily.

Detached residence, Trentino | Carpentry: Damiani-Holz&KO S.P.A./AG. | Product: Oak glulam

Wooden curtain walling

With VIGAM, ecological lightweight façade projects are already possible with wood, without the need for non-sustainable materials, such as steel, or those that generate a large carbon footprint, such as aluminium.

Sustainable solutions such as wooden curtain walling are multiplied using wood with structural possibilities, with aesthetic benefits also, thanks to the beauty, warmth and ecology of this ecological building material.

Maison de l’Ordre des Avocats | Arch: Renzo Piano studio | Grupo Gámiz Product: Oak glulam – curtain wall | Materials: 100% wood interior | Photo courtesy of ©L.Zylberman/Graphix-Images

In short, the CE marking for structural use of oak glulam beams by GRUPO GÁMIZ is a sustainable and aesthetic opportunity for innovative architects who want to give a new (natural) air to the construction of the future.

La entrada What does the CE marking for structural use mean for wooden glulam beams? se publicó primero en Grupo Gámiz.