New guidelines boost the circular economy in timber construction
PIRMIN JUNG Schweiz AG has published a guide to the design and construction of circular timber buildings. It is intended to lay the groundwork for transforming timber construction into a circular building method and reducing emissions in the construction sector.
PIRMIN JUNG has developed the ‘Guidelines for Circular Timber Construction ’ as part of the Federal Office for the Environment’s (FOEN) Wood Action Plan. According to a statement from the engineering and planning firm, which specialises in timber construction, the document provides a sound basis for planners and outlines the considerations and measures required for a sustainable and circular new timber construction project. The aim is to make the construction sector, which currently accounts for around a third of greenhouse gas emissions, more sustainable and to support national climate targets.
The guide uses case studies to demonstrate that circular timber construction methods are economically competitive when taken into account at an early stage of planning. “The easier it is to dismantle, sort and reuse components, the more economical reuse becomes,” explains PIRMIN JUNG in the press release. “This creates a cascade of uses for the various components before the timber is ultimately used for energy.”
Among other things, the company recommends the use of mechanical fastenings such as screws, wooden nails or plug-in systems. Compared to glued or stapled variants, these can be easily reused at a later stage, thereby preventing the generation of mixed waste.
Detailed building documentation is key to facilitating future deconstruction processes. “It not only aids in locating and identifying building components, but also forms the basis for digital material passports and urban mining concepts,” explains the company. “Thanks to the digital planning already established in timber construction, this documentation can be integrated without significant additional effort.”