Engineered timber has provided the solution for a “challenging structural and aesthetic” visitor centre in Germany.
The Müritzeum at the Müritz National Park in the federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, features a multi-layer design intended to minimise the use of materials, with cross-laminated spruce timber panel walls and engineered timber roof and ceiling elements helping to support the steel frame.
Designed by Swedish architect Wingårdhs and realised by Finnforest Merk, the German timber engineering arm of Finnforest, the building is intended to blend into its surrounding environment, including the lake and forests of Müritz National Park.
This includes angled exterior walls and the omittance of right angles from external visitor areas, “defeating a natural sense of balance”.
Finnforest Merk was required to provide an engineered timber solution able to meet the demands of the non-traditional shape and surrounding water of the Müritzeum.
The recently opened Pier 2E at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris also tasked Finnforest Merk with creating an engineered timber solution for the structural and aesthetic demands of the build, including the non-constant curve of the structure and the need for consistent colour matching in the passenger-facing elements.
