Big, bold timber statements were on show in the Austrian pavilion.
KLH and Binderholz (BBS) exhibited their cross-laminated panels, and interior finishes company Baumstark featured solid timber panels with different finishes – ripples, an intricate lace pattern and another with various sized balls of timber.
In 2007 the UK was BBS’s largest export market after Italy and, although the economic downturn had affected business, the company wanted to maintain a presence, and Ecobuild was a good opportunity. “It’s an important market so we have to keep our contacts and make new contacts,” said Philip Rosenkranz.
On KLH’s stand Karl Heinz Weiss, director of KLH UK, was in buoyant mood – and it’s not surprising. The UK arm was set up three-and-a-half years ago and has an impressive portfolio of projects including the nine-storey Murray Grove in London, and the UK’s biggest solid timber panel school, design work on a 15-storey building is in the early stages. Last year it brought 70,000m² of panels into the UK from its Austrian factory.
“Even through the recession I am confident we can increase turnover and employ more people,” said Mr Weiss.
Interiors company Baumstark has also set up a UK arm. “The UK is very design-oriented and we are working with architects,” said Wolfram Allinger-Csollich.
The company also extolled the virtues of stone pine, a species which has been shown to have a calming effect.
Next to Baumstark, Optiwin displayed its Drei3Holz window, designed to meet PassivHaus standards. The window’s U-value of 0.79 is achieved through 90% argon gas-filled triple glazing, and thermal bridging provided by cork insulation, and sheep’s wool and wood fibre insulation on the outside edge of the glazing units.
