GLS Bank has celebrated the topping-out ceremony for the so-called Woodscrapers in Wolfsburg. These buildings represent the city's first timber high-rises and are located in Hellwinkel Terrassen. The project is aimed at creating affordable housing and integrates a social rental concept. The event was attended by the Lower Saxony Minister for Economy, Transport and Construction, Grant Hendrik Tonne, as well as the City Architect Kai-Uwe Hirschheide. Other participants included representatives of the co-financing banks DZ HYP and NBank, architects Jörg Finkbeiner and Klaus Günter from Partner und Partner Architektur, Sven Schmittbüttner from the Krebs group of companies as the client's representative, and Phillip Heidemann from KVL Bauconsult GmbH, which is responsible for project management.
The two Woodscraper buildings comprise a total residential area of 8,000 square metres, divided into 106 residential units. A significant proportion of 45 per cent of these residential units will be socially subsidised. The construction of the total of twelve residential floors in both buildings uses timber construction. This involves the use of solid timber structures and prefabricated timber elements. Only the stairwells will be constructed from concrete for fire protection reasons.
Focus on sustainability and social orientation
From the very beginning of planning, GLS Bank, together with its partners, has pursued a circular approach. This means that the building materials of the high-rises are largely recyclable and reusable by type. The flats are also designed with flexible and adaptable layouts to allow for long-term adjustments to changing needs and life situations. The aim is to provide housing for different generations, life stages and families that is affordable, ensures socially acceptable rents and stable ancillary costs.
The concept goes beyond the pure residential function. A cafe on the ground floor of one of the high-rises, a shared roof terrace and outdoor areas are intended as places for encounters and community. Minister Tonne stated at the topping-out ceremony that the Woodscrapers demonstrate how modern housing construction can be realised: using timber as a sustainable building material, with a high proportion of subsidised flats and a concept focused on circularity and low energy consumption. He emphasised the necessity of such projects in growing cities to combine affordable housing with new building solutions. Wolfsburg is thereby sending a strong signal for future-oriented construction in Lower Saxony.
- —Renewable energies such as geothermal energy and photovoltaics ensure an efficient, pollution-free and low-emission energy supply.
- —The EH-40 efficiency house standard and retention green roofs complement the ecological and energetic concept.
- —Efficient rainwater and drainage management ensures that excess rainwater is collected in a cistern and used for irrigating the outdoor areas.
- —Timber as a natural building material indoors promotes a pleasant indoor climate through its moisture-regulating properties.
Christian Eickhoff, Managing Director of GLS Woodscraper GmbH & Co. KG, added that the goal is to create socially just housing that is both environmentally friendly and future-proof. The timber high-rises are intended to enable many people to access high-quality housing.
