Logistics Center
EDEKA

Realising a project of this scale required a sophisticated structural concept and meticulous coordination with planners and structural engineers. Construction was divided into three phases, beginning with Section 3 — the tallest part of the complex, reaching attic heights between 27 and 36 metres.

Given this building height, traditional reinforced concrete elements would have posed significant disadvantages in terms of transport and on-site assembly. The solution: a lightweight, material-efficient structural system using glued-laminated timber (glulam). Secondary and transfer beams, as well as most of the intermediate and perimeter columns, were designed and implemented in glulam. The substantial cross-sectional dimensions were necessary to accommodate the site’s high snow loads of approximately 220 kg/m².

The greatest engineering challenge, however, was the three-dimensional bracing of the entire building structure. A high-performance roof diaphragm was developed using an extensive glulam bracing system, efficiently transferring horizontal wind loads to massive shear walls. Cantilevered columns alone would not have provided the required stiffness or structural efficiency at this height.

A special solution was implemented along the building's perimeter: hybrid columns that combine the strengths of both materials. The lower segment consists of a precast concrete element, while the upper section is made of glulam — rigidly connected to form a moment-resisting unit. This hybrid approach enabled high load-bearing capacity while reducing self-weight, making the solution both robust and resource-efficient.