Clou Architekten
Dübendorf firewood depot
best architects 20
commercial/industrial buildings
Place
Geeren, Switzerland
Studio
Photos
Andreas Graber
Description
Asethetic functional building
The operations centre of the Holzkorporation Dübendorf is located on the edge of
the forest, in the heart of the Geeren district. With the construction of the
new firewood depot, the facilities have been extended in the direction of the
forest. Six glue-laminated spruce trusses form the primary structure. They are
each connected to three purlins and one beam per side. Four steel cable cross
clamps act as bracing in the central purlin section. The wall panelling,
projecting roof braces and rafters are connected with simple studs and are
woven around the beams and over the purlins. Building components with seemingly
clear hierarchies thus merge to form a cohesive whole. With the exception of
the glue-laminated trusses and purlins, the entire wooden construction is made
of rough-cut, untreated spruce beams. The subtle use of additional materials
such as galvanised steel, concrete and Eternit accentuates the presence of
wood. The half open façade meets the different requirements of a building in
a forest and on the periphery of a community and furthermore optimally
satisfies the requirements for storing firewood. The unexpected construction
also arouses curiosity and takes account of the location on the edge of the
woodland in this popular local recreation area with a certain degree of poetry.
Thanks to the skilful blending of aesthetics and function, the project reflects
the attitude of a progressive yet traditional forestry business with a great
feel for wood.