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 main schools of thought on education of the 20th century are experiencing a revival in the 21st century. Pikler, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf-Steiner, etc., with subtle differences in their starting points, they share many similarities in their main foundations and objectives: encouraging the free development of children helps create people with a greater ability to think and make decisions. More autonomous people, who will be much closer to being in charge of their own destiny.

In this sense, pedagogy is like architecture, a discipline that cannot be explained without the support of many others. Regarding the design within the pedagogical tendencies mentioned, wood stands out as the ideal material in the manufacture of furniture and toys. Taking a step further in the educational process -at least chronologically, in other words, beyond child development- architecture has accepted its part in the responsibility giving rise to different movements and theory, where the design of spaces is key to improving academic performance, according to factors such as movement, freedom, safety, comfort, capacity of stimulus or connection with nature.

Light, sustainability and good vibrations

In this regard, light becomes yet another design component. And to conquer natural light, architecture has the invaluable collaboration of a sustainable building material, that time and time again demonstrates its effectiveness in improving health, emotional well-being and creativity: wood. 

Because, in addition to equipping educational spaces or being a structure for them, combining structural wood and glazing results in façades that are at the same time functional, sustainable and beautiful, and that are able to provide the natural light necessary for harmonious education. The following are 8 examples of school architecture with wood as the protagonist.

1. Gymnasium München Nord
2. Oak House School
3. Centro agrícola de Salez
4. Escuela Eichendorff
5. Vocational training centre, Sulingen
6. Obermenzing school
7. Makarenko School
8. Agricultural specialisation centre, Arenenberg

1. Gymnasium München Nord

“Gymnasium” is the German term associated with “high school” in English. This school in Munich, in addition to being a secondary school, functions as a high-performance centre for athletes. 

This project is interesting, at the same time, as it initiates an architectural-pedagogical trend that has become a model in the geographic area in which it was built. It is the so-called “Munich Learning House” (Münchener Lernhaus), a concept developed by those responsible for education in the Bavarian capital. This Gymnasium (2015) has become the basis for the design of all schools built in Munich since then.

The goals of natural light are achieved thanks to curtain walling made with VIGAM, the only oak glulam beam in the world with the CE marking for structural use.

Gymnasium München Nord | Arch: h4a Gessert + Randecker Generalplaner | Product: VIGAM: Oak glulam.

2. Oak House School

In this school for high school studies in Barcelona ACCOYA® wooden slats were used to create a sustainable ventilated façade that would provide sustainability to the building as a whole and luminosity to the interior. This decision also helped provide natural ventilation and absorb the sound that reaches the classrooms from the exterior.

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

The Oak House School project was acknowledged in the XXV Edition of the Cemex Building Award with two prizes: the International Award for Sustainable Building and the Third Prize in the International Award for Best Building. It also won the first Asoma 2021 prize for the best wood enclosure.

3. Agricultural centre, Salez

Constructive Alps 2020 prize, this agricultural training centre in the Swiss Alps is an ode to wood, absolute protagonist of the construction from start to finish.

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

The open galleries that surround the exterior are manufactured with VIGAM, the only oak glulam beam in the world with the CE marking for structural use.

4. Eichendorff School

This interesting primary school in Stuttgart is a magnificent example of how architecture is developing new spaces that help the evolution of new teaching methods. 

Natural luminosity is one of the values highlighted by the innovative teaching currents, and in this project it is achieved thanks to the wooden curtain walling made with VIGAM.

Eichendorff School, Stuttgart | Arch: Hausmann Architekten GmbH. | Product: VIGAM

5. Vocational training centre, Sulingen

The functional and at the same time elegant mixture of glass and wood in its façade, courtesy of wooden curtain walling made in oak glulam beam, achieves the perfect lighting in the interior of this vocational training centre in the town of Sulingen, in Lower Saxony, Germany.

Vocational Training Centre, Sulingen | Arch: BKS Architekten GmbH | Product: VIGAM: Oak glulam.

6. Obermenzing school

In the renovation project of this school in Munich, whose original construction dated back to 1912, the wooden curtain walling in oak glulam beam that surrounds the main building is outstanding.

Obermenzing School, Munich | Arch: Auer Weber Assoziierte GmbH | Product: VIGAM: Oak glulam.

7.  Makarenko School

In this primary school in Dresden, a large part of the light is distributed from a large staircase in the central hall. Its colourful and stimulating design includes a wall of oak glulam beams that awakens play between light and shade.

Makarenko School, Dresden | Arch: Raum und Bau GmbH | Product: VIGAM: Oak glulam.

8. Agricultural specialisation centre, Arenenberg

The presence of the wood arose naturally in this project, as the purpose of this school in Arenenberg (Switzerland) is to train farmers, and wood is a material that is closely linked to this profession. The part that deserves special attention is the beautiful pillars made with VIGAM, a structural resource that was not then highly regarded by those responsible for the project and the result in this agriculture school led them to change their minds.

Agricultural Specialisation Centre, Arenenberg | Arch: Staufer & Hasler Architekten AG | Product: VIGAM: Oak glulam.

La entrada Architecture and education, symbiosis in wood 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 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.

Wooden beams are unrivalled when providing warmth to the interiors of houses and homes. European oak beams, in particular, transmit the intrinsic beauty of nature and the eternal nobility of a top quality wood, strong and adaptable, recognisable at first glance by those with the most stringent aesthetic tastes.

Up to now, the traditional solution has been to use wooden beams to design decking, pergolas, attics, eaves, roofs, etc., and, above all, the interior decoration of ceilings in lofts and attics that sought an elegant, welcoming touch.

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

The good news for today’s architects, those whose projects are gradually shaping the list of successes of sustainable architecture, is that technology has helped oak glulam beams meet, in addition to a decorative function, a strictly structural construction objective.

Versatility is guaranteed. And with an exceptional extra: sustainability.

Wooden curtain walling is now possible

At GRUPO GÁMIZ we design and manufacture VIGAM, the only oak glulam beam in the world with the CE marking for structural use. Architects now have unlimited design and creation possibilities thanks to this certification. From now on, structures traditionally built with non-sustainable materials (concrete, steel, etc.) can be designed using top quality wood.

For example, sustainable change is coming to façades all over the world with the ability to build ecological curtain walling in wood, the ideal sustainable building material thanks to its aesthetic, functional and natural qualities.

If you’re looking for inspiration, this article has eight examples of real applications of oak glulam curtain walling. You’ll see how great figures in architecture, such as Renzo Piano and Herzog & de Meuron already have faith in oak for their projects.

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

One hundred percent natural architectural flexibility

In addition to their use in ecological lightweight façades, VIGAM wooden glulam beams for structural use are the perfect material for building detached houses or the refurbishment and repair of historical monuments or buildings among many other applications.

In all cases, their aesthetic results are visible after their functional achievements in structural use, marked by their guaranteed durability and greater resistance than other types of solid beams, without dimensional limits:

• High load capacity
• More lightweight compared to other materials (steel, etc.)
• Dimensional stability: the temperature does not cause them to expand or contract
• Highly resistant to fire
• Minimum environmental impact: Wood is a natural and sustainable material

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

The sustainable structural alternative is already a reality

A few years ago, the structural possibility of wood, at this level, was a dream of architects who understand their profession as a challenge with a responsibility to the environment. Today, the only wooden glulam beams in the world with the CE marking for structural use are a viable structural alternative to concrete and steel in many projects.

Thanks to VIGAM by GRUPO GÁMIZ, this dream has come true. Sustainability, aesthetics and versatility are already on the drawing boards of the world’s architects.

La entrada Oak glulam beams: there is (structural) life beyond concrete and steel se publicó primero en Grupo Gámiz.

Architecture began in the Neolithic period, when human beings were sedentary and started to adapt the spaces in which they were going to live. Like the prehistoric bone that Stanley Kubrick launched into the air and that came back transformed into a spaceship, between that moment and now, about 12,000 years have flown by. 

Architecture has come into the XXI century as always: evolving, asking questions, seeking answers. It seems clear that the next milestone will be construction that respects the environment and protects the planet where future generations will live. In this new era of sustainable architecture, the materials used are key. And wood seems destined to be the essential building material.

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

Wooden curtain walling. The lightweight façade revolution is beautiful

The construction systems for façades have also evolved throughout history. As soon as human beings had mastered making glass, they included it in their buildings to protect from the climate and enjoy natural light. It was usually secured using wood. 

The XX century connected glass with materials such as steel, aluminium and concrete, and thanks to the skyscrapers of York and Chicago curtain walling became a classic of architecture and popular imagination.

Home Insurance Building in Chicago | Arch: By William Le Baron Jenney | Photo courtesy of  Wikipedia

Today, when the threat of climate change is more real than ever, architecture, as wise as nature, is returning to the past and opting for what is natural, for wood, to reinvent itself once more and make sustainable curtain walling possible.

Quality and strength thanks to the only oak glulam beam in the world with the CE marking for structural use

In addition to being an ecological and sustainable material, the VIGAM range by GRUPO GÁMIZ consists of the only glulam beam in the world with the CE marking for structural use. 

This means that architects can include them in their projects to build one hundred percent wooden curtain walling. The result is a beautiful, natural and warm, welcoming and fully sustainable interior, a long way from barely ecological conventional materials such as aluminium and steel.

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

A sustainable, effective and creative alternative

Its virtues of thermal and acoustic insulation are, for example, further advantages of opting for quality certified wood in architectural projects that seek energy efficiency.

Wood has always been with us. And it always will be if we complete the circle of sustainability and the circular economy. The good news is that, if the wood products used are objectively good, architects can continue to give free rein to their imagination without renouncing strength, resistance, design or creativity, while fulfilling their responsibility of reducing the environmental impact while they work.

La entrada Can curtain walling be made entirely of wood? se publicó primero en Grupo Gámiz.