The company News 2015/16 What inspired us in 2015 Projects

NEWS
Nº8
01/2016
RESIDENTIAL // High performance in a multi-storey timber construction
MODULAR CONSTRUCTION // Satisfied pupils and a school room on the move
FREE FORMS // Maggie’s Manchester with Foster + Partners
SILO SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION // Big, bigger, Wankdorf
02
/EDITORIAL
Dear customers and friends
of timber construction,
Our news is now presented in a fresh concept. The idea is
to give more space to the many different, challenging
and fascinating projects that we are fortunate enough to
develop, plan, produce and assemble on your behalf –
and thus present the many exciting construction projects
in even more impressive fashion.
We hope to provide you with an exciting overview of
the past year, and we would like to thank you and all our
partners for a successful 2015.
Best wishes for a wonderful 2016,
Katharina Lehmann
Chäserrugg
New summit building
by Herzog & de Meuron
P. 04
P. 08
Kräzern St. Gallen
Rental apartments
on the Bildweiher
01/2016
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
CONTENTS /03
Maggie’s Manchester
Space for relaxation
P. 13
Bern Wankdorf
Mammoth
silo project
P. 18
P. 28
Internal
Woodrock in Erlenhof
SILO SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION
RESTAURANTS /TOURISM
04Chäserrugg
05 Hotel Schwägalp
06 Hotel Säntispark
HOUSING
07 Apartment buildings
Trimmis and Rapperswil / Single-family home Ronwil
08
Apartment buildings
St. Gallen and Grub CONVERSIONS /RENOVATIONS
09 Haldeneck Zurich / Kobesenmühle / Conversion single-family home
St. Gallen
AGRICULTURE
10 All about poultry farming
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
18 Bern Wankdorf
INDUSTRY
20 St. Petersburg / Tettnang / 11 hosberg AG / Sportgarage Leirer
FREE FORMS
12Yeoju maintenance / Acme
Architecture and Design Office
13Maggie’s Cancer Centres
MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
14A moving year:
flexibility and speed
OFFICES /ADMINISTRATION
16 Münchwilen District Court
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
17 Living in Vögelinsegg / Immobilien St. Gallen AG
Small silo St. Gallen
21 Brine technology move / Basic brine
facility / On the move for our
customers / St. Petersburg or Moscow?
NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF WOOD
22 A new technology centre
24 SmART Timber
25Ongoing investment / electric charging station
INTERNAL
26 Living for timber construction / Race to the top
27Anniversaries / Training
28 Woodrock in Erlenhof
29 Summer party / Excursions
30 Fascinating wood – interview
31 Highly distinguished!
01/2016
04
/RESTAURANTS// TOURISM
Summit Building Chäserrugg
by Herzog & de Meuron
High-altitude timber construction
Working at an altitude of 2,262 metres above
Bearing structure
Pellets can be conveyed too
sea level is not a run-of-the-mill activity for
The selected structure in this case was a timber
The summit restaurant is heated with pellets.
our assembly people. Our team faced some
construction comprising a conventionally
The pellets are transported to the mountain-
challenging, but equally exciting weeks working
erected bearing structure combined with pre-
top restaurant in 800 kg sacks by the cablecar.
on the Chäserrugg. The panoramic view from
fabricated wooden frame elements. The con-
To convey the pellets to the boiler room,
the new mountain-top restaurant is indescriba-
struction used traditional carpentry joints such
a low-pressure conveyor system was installed.
ble. In keeping with local architectural customs,
as mortise and tenon and offsets augmented
The pellets are poured into a charging hopper
wood was used as the primary building materi-
by special timber engineering connectors.
next to the cableway station, metered by
al. Mountain architecture involves many special
means of a rotary valve and pumped into the
challenges. The construction of the roof was
Timber construction on a concrete foundation
boiler room with compressed air through
one of them. Wind speed and snowfall can be
Beyond the large roof and the special support,
the 35-metre pipe system. We were able to
extremely high at this altitude. To ensure the
purlin and rafter geometries, the building
implement this innovative construction thanks
functionality of the structure, a scale model
makes the unmistakable statement of a «timber
to the integrated timber construction exper­­­­­­tise
of the building and the surrounding landscape
construction on a concrete foundation».
at Erlenhof. The conveyor system was provid-
were tested in a wind tunnel. In view of the
As simple as the end result may appear, the
ed by BL Silobau AG.
massive loads on the roof, enormous cross-sec-
execution required the utmost care at every
tions of normal laminated timber were used.
stage of the process. For example, the striking
three-armed concrete foundation for the
branching vertical and diagonal supports on
the east façade of the existing structure
presented a particular challenge.
01/2016
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
05
Stefan Bischoff, our site manager at Chäserrugg, reports on his experiences during the 51-week
timber construction process.
What was the greatest challenge for you and
What’s the biggest difference to work on
Did you sleep on the mountain?
the assembly team?
the ground?
«No. But there were some days when the wind
«There were a variety of different challenges:
«Initially, we were out of breath more than
picked up so much in the evening that we
the weather presented us with serious chal-
usual, but with time you get used to the
weren’t sure if it would be possible to make it
lenges, with sudden winter storms in August,
altitude.»
down to the valley. The worst case scenario
severe rainfall, strong winds and then the sum-
would have been an evening walk to Iltios.»
mer heat. So a little bit of everything. Then
What kind of experience was it for you
there was the complex logistics with the cable-
personally?
car – 500 m of construction timber and
«The place, the architecture and the whole
// Stefan Bischoff
200 m of slats and cladding were, as befits
team performance were very impressive and
site manager for the Chäserrugg project
a mountain railway region, transported by
I’m very proud of that. In spite of the many
rail rather than by helicopter.»
challenges, it was a great experience to be
3
3
a part of this fantastic project.»
Hotel Schwägalp
New perspectives
The new hotel replaces the ageing infra­
construction elements were transported
structure at Schwägalp. The new construction
to Schwägalp on flatbed lorries. The large roof
and the resulting intervention in the natural
beams and elements were placed directly
environment has changed the appearance
on the shell and installed by us. The first floor
of Schwägalp for the better. The terrain, once
and the three hotel room floors above that
occupied by the traditional, massive mountain
have a wooden façade, in which to integrate
inn, now presents a gentle Alpine landscape.
the Appen­zell-style decorative elements.
The hotel is a hybrid construction comprising
The working conditions were not always easy
reinforced concrete and timber. «We were
due to the heavy rain, but that did not stop
able to build and assemble the entire roof con-
our team.
struction. The outer walls consist of shell
elements with pre-installed windows, which we
clad with a larch façade,» explains project
manager Felix Holenstein. The massive timber
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
01/2016
/RESTAURANTS// TOURISM
06 SUSTAINABLE CON­
STRUCTION IS A
CENTRAL THEME FOR
MIGROS OSTSCHWEIZ
AND WAS IMPLE­
MENTED WITH GREAT
THOROUGHNESS AT
HOTEL SÄNTISPARK.
Hotel Säntispark
Update one year on
What distinguishes Hotel Säntispark from
The timber construction plays an important
How would you describe the collaboration
a construction perspective from other hotels?
role in the cosy rooms as well. What were your
with Blumer-Lehmann AG?
«Sustainable construction, as a central theme
considerations there?
«Blumer-Lehmann AG was the ideal partner
of Migros Ostschweiz, was implemented with
«Using wood as a construction material and
for Migros Ostschweiz and fulfilled all our
great thoroughness at Hotel Säntispark, and
design element automatically creates a
wishes perfectly.»
the unquestionably impressive design by archi-
pleasantly cosy ambiance – that was one of
tect Carlos Martinez embodies the diversity
the decisive reasons. And the desire to spend
Have you received customer feedback about
of Hotel Säntispark, as well as the harmony be-
the night in the new rooms flows not only from
the new construction?
tween the existing building and the new con-
the interior design and furnishings, but also
«Our guests feel very comfortable in the new
struction. The new section of the hotel was
from the wooden slat pattern that envelops the
building and enjoy the generous dimensions
also the first four-storey hotel timber construc-
timber construction and creates a feeling of
of the rooms, their brightness and the pleasant
tion in the canton of St. Gallen.»
security. Using a modern CNC machine, this fa­
room climate, due not least to the wood con-
çade was given a subtle wave pattern that
struction material.»
Why did you decide to go with a timber
gives the new construction a sensual note.»
construction?
Have you heard from the staff as well?
«Timber construction has a number of advan-
You talk about how sustainability is a real pri-
«The entire Hotel Säntispark team enjoys being
tages over solid construction. As a renewable
ority for Hotel Säntispark. What role does tim-
able to work in such a pleasant environment.»
resource, wood is an ideal, sustainable con-
ber construction play in that?
struction material. Large-scale wall, roof and
«Cladding elements made of wood achieve
// Vera Wichmann
ceiling elements can be prefabricated with
very good insulation values even with minimal
Director
high precision and high quality in the workshop
wall thicknesses, as the wall is not just a static
Hotel Säntispark
without being subject to weather conditions.
construction element but can also be filled with
This significantly reduced the assembly time
insulating material. This results in significant
required.»
savings in terms of resources.»
01/2016
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
HOUSING /07
Trimmis apartment building
Good planning is the key
Two timber construction residential buildings
is striking, yet fits perfectly into the green
The operating costs of the two apartment
with a total of 11 apartments and space for the
landscape, thanks to the wood construction
buildings were reduced to a minimum, thanks
Trimmis Catholic parish church were construct-
material. One of the buildings resembles a
to targeted measures such as optimal
ed in Trimmis Oberdorf. Previously, an old
broken-off piece of rock, and integrates very
insulation. The two buildings were designed
school building occupied the plot. Due to the
well with the surrounding space. The con­
by different architects, which presented
new regulations of the Civil Engineering
struction line of the two buildings runs in an
challenges for our project managers and
Office of Grisons, the distance to the road had
irregular line along the road. This has the
tim­ber construction engineers.
to be increased. This pushed the gable of the
advantage that they block as little sunlight
new buildings to the south. The architecture
and views from the surrounding buildings
as possible.
Rapperswil apartment building
Wood as a load-bearing element
The apartment building on the slope above
rior loads. The statics and structure remain
Rapperswil exudes an almost majestic
visible. The wall and roof cladding comprise
presence. The view of the castle, framed by
knotless, A-grade three-layer panels and lend
the lake, is breathtaking and unobstructed.
the space warmth and texture. The façade
The three-storey apartment building has three
formwork was pre-greyed and has a playful
rental apartments of a superior standard.
shimmer thanks to a pearlescent effect.
The construction is dominated by wood and
The façade consists of a vertical, full-surface
concrete. Wood plays a crucial role. It performs
groove and ridge formwork with fluted
the load-bearing functions as well. Five pairs
architraves that create a 3D effect.
of V-shaped braces create a framework in
the centre of the building that supports all inte-
Single-family home in Ronwil
Modern architecture integrated into the townscape
The specifications in regard to conservation
the house itself, with its pressure-treated
pro­­visions were strict, while the demands of
façade, are a unified whole. We planned and
the owners for a clear and modern architectur-
implemented this single-family house in
al style were high. The result is an impressively
Ronwil, Waldkirch, for the son of an employee,
resolute and convincing marriage of exposed
as the general contractor from the planning
concrete and wood. The supporting structure is
application to construction.
made of wood – the carport of concrete and
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
01/2016
08
/ HOUSING
© Forrer Stieger Architekten AG
Kräzern St. Gallen apartment building
New rental apartments on the Bildweiher
An ageing apartment building was to be torn
ning precisely coordinated and the ultimate
ments and a large underground garage.
down and rebuilt according to modern residen-
execution outstanding,» says project manager
The frame construction of the walls consists of
tial standards. The owners gave intensive
Daniel Ehrbar. The project was planned with
multiple layers of cladding in accordance with
consideration to sustainability and wood as
the St. Gallen architectural firm Forrer Stieger
noise and fire-protection requirements.
a construction material. We were involved from
and specialist planners from the region over
The exposed wood ceilings consist of high-qual-
the earliest planning stages with an advisory
a six-month period. We used 40 tonnes of
ity Lignatur ceiling elements. The tight con-
mandate and the tender for the timber con-
wood in implementing the new construction.
struction deadlines were met according to plan,
struction. From the outset, the aim was to de-
The urban, modern wood element con­-
enabling our team to complete the assembly
velop the statics without activation of the
struc­­­­tion consists of two structures with five
work before Christmas.
concrete cores. «The communication between
residential floors each (the upper four in
all involved parties was very open, the plan-
timber construction) with 28 rental apart­­-
Apartment building
Mattenbach Grub
innovative for that. As we are considered
pioneers in forward-oriented timber construction and sustainability, we were pleased
to be commissioned with the exciting project.
The wood ensures a naturally regulated room
The timber construction is made from spruce
climate by being able to absorb and release
wood. The façades were clad with pres-
moisture, and is also highly energy-efficient
sure-treated spruce. «The planning work took
and economical.
eight months; the production was completed
In Grub in the canton of Appenzell Ausser­
in two months,» notes Martin Eggenberger.
rhoden, three apartment buildings with 24
«The harsh winter of 2014 necessitated a
«The project proceeded successfully in every
attractive apartments were built in the tradi-
postponement of construction,» says project
way. The collaboration with all parties
tional Appenzell style. Yet the timber con­
manager Martin Eggenberger. After the passing
was very pleasant. You can always do the best
struction behind them is all the more modern
of the bleak midwinter in Grub, the work
work in an uncomplicated environment.»
and the energy concept all the more
could be continued without further ado. The
topping-out took place in spring 2015.
01/2016
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
CONVERSIONS//RENOVATIONS /09
Addition of storey
Haldeneck
Conversion in tight
urban surroundings
We completely renovated and added an attic
floor to a residential and commercial building
in Zurich. As the ceilings in the existing building
were not all load-bearing, we had to work
toge­ther with the structural engineer and the
architects from LOMO AG to devise suitable
solutions for the floor plan and design. Our
man­date extended to consulting, planning and
building. The assembly was, as is common for
timber construction, very short and could
and external thermal insulation.
Kobesenmühle listed building
Residential home carefully renovated
The historic Kobesenmühle in Niederhelfen-
was evident from the beginning. That made the
case was on the agenda. In the process, the
schwil can look back on 317 years of history.
collaboration extremely pleasant,» says Peter
insulation of the walls on the upper floor was
The artist and thinker Wilhelm Lehmann spent
Holenstein. Blumer-Lehmann AG was responsible
repaired, the doors refurbished, the lime plas-
most of his life in the house. So, too, did his
for the planning and implementation, and
ter renewed in the brick-lined interior tim-
daughter Verena Lehmann, who just last year
coordinated all the trades. In roughly six months,
ber-framed walls, and the windows replaced.
found a new home in a nursing home in Bis-
the house was renovated in keeping with the
Our team expected a major challenge.
chofszell. The foundation trustees then decided
style and the relevant conservation regula-
The surfaces all had to be adapted to the
to renovate the building and rent it out again in
tions.
original style of the house. In order to change
be completed in the winter months. The entire
building was renovated with new windows
autumn 2015. «The timeframe was in place
the appearance of the building as little as
from the outset,» says project manager Peter
Preserving the style
possible, the spruce was processed by our sis-
Holenstein. Thus, contact was made with the
The existing structure of the house was in
ter company Lehmann Holzwerk in such
cantonal Department of Monument Preserva-
astonishingly good shape, but renovation work
a way that visually almost no difference to
tion and the municipality at an early stage.
was unavoidable. The renovation of the north
the earlier state is perceptible.
«The delight and energy of everyone involved
façade and the interior panelling of the stair-
Conversion in St. Gallen
A fine little house
with a fresh update
With this small, idyllically located house in
St. Gallen, it was time to renovate the façade
and scaffolders. We renewed the roof insula-
and the roof. Blumer-Lehmann AG was the
tion and façade, and replaced the façade.
general contractor and coordinated the electri-
The house now looks fresh and friendly again.
cians, heating engineers, plumbers, roofers
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
01/2016
10
/AGRICULTURE
Comprehensive services
in the field of poultry farming
IN BRÜTTEN / ZH,
THE OWNERS
ARE THRILLED WITH
OUR PLANNING
AND IMPLEMENTATION
– WE’RE PLEASED TO
HEAR IT.
Our agricultural customers can choose from
Based on numerous projects, we create
struction also offers advantages over steel
a range of different solutions for poultry farm-
a structure each for laying hens, breeding
construction in terms of its structural proper-
ing: for years we have sustained strong
and feeding.
ties. With the wood cladding around the
partnerships and produced and installed the
In Brütten, ZH (1), the owners were thrilled
entrance space, the project integrates well into
first hosberg stall many years ago. We have
with our planning and implementation.
the natural surroundings and reflects the phi-
developed a standardised, contiguous stall sys-
Between building approval procedures and the
losophy of an organic, sustainable agriculture.
tem that offers customers great individual
fast-approaching cooping date, the time for
design options. The system is characterised by
the construction phase was dwindling. Thanks
In beautiful Wasen (3) in Emmental, a new chic­
efficient and on-schedule planning, production
to the smooth cooperation of all parties, the
ken feeding hall has been erected with some
and installation processes. Our partners are
owner was able to get his birds in the coop on
600 m2 of floor space and an entrance and vis-
Globogal AG for stall solutions and Koch AG for
time. The hosberg organic laying henhouse
itor space. The owner placed his trust in us be-
roofing solutions. Our timber construction
with entrance and coffee space consists of
fore we had any personal contact with him. His
en­­gineers and project managers create the stat-
a supported girder variant. The prefabricated
confidence gave us an additional motivational
ics for the supporting structure, and the
wall elements were delivered to the site
boost. The timber load-bearing structure con-
design and work plans, manage the construc-
ready for installation and were up within a few
sists of a 20-metre free-span, three-joint frame
tion process and the in-house production
days.
with external buttresses. The column-
of CNC components. Thanks to the high degree
free design offers great flexibility for the use
of prefabrication, the installation hours on-
The girder system of the hosberg organic
and outfitting of the space. The roof and
site are reduced to a minimum.
breeding house in Cunter, GR (2) was optimised
wall cladding with sandwich panels is a func-
for the location at 1,200 metres above sea
tional and low-maintenance solution.
level. The natural and sustainable timber con-
01/2016
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
INDUSTRY /11
The supports for the hosberg AG logistics centre were the first to be produced
at Lehmann Timber Code AG’s new TW Mill plant.
hosberg AG
Wow – what a new logistics centre
for our partner of many years
We’ve had a partnership with hosberg AG
of recent years, a new warehouse and logistics
installation time was just five weeks. In the
for several years now. Our companies are bound
centre was required. From the pre-project
entire construction project, some 520 m3 of
by a commitment to sustainability and innova-
phase onwards, we worked closely with the
wood were used in the form of supports,
tive drive. hosberg is the market leader in
owners and architects to help develop and opti­-
panels and cladding. This amounts to nearly
organic egg sales and has a wealth of experience
mise this three-storey industrial building with
450 tonnes of captured CO2 and thus
in the production and sale of organic eggs
its projecting mezzanine and attic floor. Thanks
promotes sustainability.
and organic egg products. Thanks to the success
to precisely prefabricated wall elements, the
Sportgarage Leirer AG, Stein AR
From 0 to 550 m2 with wood
high-tech
Sports cars need space when they’re moving –
and also when they’re protected in the garage.
For the well-known Sportgarage Leirer, which
represents Ferrari and Maserati, we put in
a pit stop in stone and accompanied the owners and the project management throughout
the development, planning and implementation
of the timber roof structure. The 22-metre
free-span primary structure consists of eight
two-hinged arched trusses with ties. The
550 m2 roof was clad and insulated with prefa­
bricated wooden elements. The high-tech
vehicles are now surrounded by a high-tech
material, wood.
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
01/2016
/FREE FORMS
12
Yeoju maintenance
Canopy still in tip-top form
In 2015, one of our teams serviced the Haesley
everything was reported to be in top condi­­tion.
Nine Bridges Golf Club in South Korea for
And the club is as enthusiastic as ever.
the second time since its completion in 2009.
All we can say with certainty is that our audit
An article in the club’s magazine reported on it
found everything to be in good shape –
– anyone for a freestyle translation? On the
and the building continues to delight its users.
basis of visual, geometric and structural tests,
Acme Architecture
and Design
Stairway to heaven
On the way to the top: for the global, fast
growing and highly successful London-based
architecture and design office Acme, we
planned and produced a free-form staircase
from the ground level to the first floor.
Our tasks included consultation, 3D planning,
production and logistics. The architects
and designers installed the staircase themselves. According to unconfirmed rumours, the
staircase at Acme is now regarded as a des­
tination in itself.
01/2016
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
13
//In structural architecture, wood
performs not only covering and protective functions, but also provides
the supporting structure and is
strikingly evident in the architecture.
The static structure of the building
is an important aspect of the architecture and is usually digitally planned
and implemented using CNC techno­
logy.
Maggie’s Manchester
with Foster + Partners
Creating a space to unwind
The Maggie’s Cancer Centres in the UK support
who, together with the owner, visited us in
installed by a mixed team of British and Swiss
people diagnosed with cancer in their daily
St. Gallen in advance. Together, we viewed
specialists. We actively assisted and advised
lives. The trained personnel care for the pati­
some of our projects; for example, the Hotel
the customer throughout the project.
ents with emotional and medical expertise
Säntispark. During a visit to a typical St. Gallen
throughout the 17 centres around the country.
Erststock-Beizli, our guests joked about the
«The team from Blumer-Lehmann AG managed
The experts advise cancer patients in nutri­
sloping floors and wondered, tongue-in-cheek,
to integrate the centre into the green surround-
tional matters, among other issues, and create
if traditional timber construction in eastern
ings. We decided to go with wood as the
a space in which people can talk to others
Switzerland still used the same methods.
main component of the construction,» says
who are in the same situation over a cup of
Diego Alejandro Teixeira of the world-renow­
tea. In the «design and build» contract, we
The general contractor is Sir Robert McAlpine.
ned architectural firm Foster + Partners.
were responsible for the timber construction of
Jobs outside Switzerland are always a special
Sustainability was very important to the custo­
the new centre in Manchester. The planning,
treat for our team. Working together with
mer. «Thanks to the expertise of our partner,
geometry and structural engineering were
foreign partners and sourcing materials always
we were able to create a therapeutic space in
defined BIM-ready in collaboration with the
yield a few challenges. The collaboration
harmony with the environment,» continues
customer and the architects. The result of that
with Forster + Partners architectural firm wor-
Teixeira. Our professionalism and attention to
collaboration is a fascinating timber construc-
ked perfectly. The supporting structure to­-
detail are a perfect fit with the quality stand-
tion with groundbreaking architecture.
day presents itself as a filigree framework with
ards of Maggie’s Cancer Centres.
17 axes. The surfaces of the components are
The architectural idea was based on a bird’s
made of spruce and have a furniture quality.
rib-cage. Initial models of the components were
The roof, inner and outer walls, and the ceiling
created using a 3D printer. The 1:1 scale mock-
were produced in a timer frame construction.
up made of wood impressed the architects,
The entire structure was prefabricated and
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
01/2016
14
/MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
A moving year in modular construction
The flexibility and speed of modular construction
An eventful year in modular construction
necessary? Why does it take so long before
to an increase in school space requirements
in brief: satisfied pupils, teachers and building
a new school building is ready?
in addition to the growing numbers of pupils.
partners, «flexible standards», a school room
Is teaching in ‹containers› qualitatively good
So space requirements rise not only due to
on the move, and a short 115 days for a new
for my child?»
growing numbers, but also due to the increased
space requirements per child. Both develop-
school building from planning to key handover.
«Because residential buildings have a sig­
ments occur in parallel and reinforce each other.»
Quotes and impressions regarding the
nificantly shorter planning and implementation
construction and operation of school pavilions
phase than public school grounds and because
«To bridge the time between the project
from a publication by Letzi school district
both the number and ages of children are
design, approval and construction – the whole
in Zurich:
known only when they move into apartments,
process takes more than 10 years – school
temporary space shortages in schools can
pavilions have been erected on school grounds.
occur in fast-growing neighbourhoods.»
These pavilions are good school rooms.
«Since 2009, enrolment in our school dis­­trict [with 14 schools, approx. 700 teachers and
They are not only quick to implement, but also
4,000 pupils, Ed.] has risen by 500 children.
«But the number of school-age children is not
Even before the rise in pupil numbers, space
the only factor is determining the space
re­quirements for teaching and to meet the de-
required by schools. Education policy, peda-
mand for day-care had also been on the rise.
gogical and social conditions are just as
As school president, I was frequently asked the
important. School models, forms of learning
following questions: were we not able to
and teaching, changed working and family
predict that a new school building would be
models – these are all factors that have led
Quotes from pupils:
«Our classroom has a nice smell. It also has
«I like the classroom in the pavilion because
fresh air because there are so many windows.
it’s quieter.»
I like the chairs, the desks, the decorations,
the pictures in the classroom, the chalkboard
«I really like our new classroom. It has a nice
cosy corner. I like the rows of desks and
the many windows.»
and the plants.»
cost-effective and reusable.»
«YOUR SCHOOL IS
NICE IS ONE OF
THE MOST FREQUENTLY
USED PHRASES BY
THE CHILDREN.
AND THEY’RE RIGHT
– THE PAVILION IS TRULY
NICE, COSY AND HAS
EVEN BECOME A BIT LIKE
HOME TO US.»
// Quote from a teacher
01/2016
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
15
Flexible standards
For the municipality of Samstagern (1), we
Thanks for the flowers, and we can warmly
The flexibility and speed of modular construc-
planned and implemented an 800 m modular
return the thanks for an excellent collaboration
tion is due to the standardisation of individual
school space for the school and kindergarten.
– and the confidence of the owners. The city
modules. For example, we offer different
The inviting wood façade is a special feature of
of Opfikon (2) received three identical, two-
modular constructions for various purposes and
the architecture. Since both school buildings
storey pavilions with a footprint of 31 metres
which also differ in their architectural accents.
are within the immediate vicinity of high-voltage
by 8.5 metres. The façade set the tone with the
Nevertheless, customers still have a wide range
power lines, we also protected them against
primary colours red and white. As the munici-
2
radiation. At the topping-out of the new pavilion,
pality is located near Zurich airport, the pavilions
the school caretaker told us enthusiastically
were designed to provide effective protection
how nice and interesting the construction phase
against noise to ensure optimal learning
was and how pleasant it was to work with us.
conditions.
a new room arrangement. The dismantling,
pleased to have been able to win over yet
Our modular and temporary structures, as the
transport and reassembly took just three days.
another customer to timber construction.
name implies, remain at a location for a certain
At the new location, there was also a meeting of
The two dissimilar siblings now stand next to
period of time and are easy to modify.
metal and wood pavilions. A few years ago,
each other in Adliswil.
The temporary structure at the Hotelfachschule
a temporary metal schoolhouse had been built
Belvoirpark (28 modules) had served its pur-
there. When the need to expand capacity
pose, so it was dismantled and reassembled in
arose, they opted for our modular timber con-
Adliswil with eight additional modules and
struction for the second project. We’re very
of options to make individual adjustments.
The class(room) trip: from metal to wood
A new school building in just 115 days
Around the world in 80 days. That’s fast. A new
school built in just 115 days. That’s also pretty
speedy. In these 115 days, the one-storey pavilion
for the municipality of Niederrohrdorf, consisting
of 10 modules was planned, approved and
produced, and the keys handed over to the school
authority. The pavilion can be expanded up to
three storeys with no problem at all. If enrolment
numbers continue to rise as quickly as they
have been, that will soon be the case.
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
01/2016
/OFFICES//ADMINISTRATION
16 District Courthouse in Münchwilen
Wood and concrete in harmony
The District Courthouse in Münchwilen is
two upper floors and an attic, with the sup-
a building of great historical value. It was built
porting structure consisting of a timber
in 1906 with solid exterior walls and timber
frame structure with wood-concrete composite
ceilings. The use requirements for the listed
ceilings. The installation was conducted on
building have changed over recent decades,
a floor-by-floor basis as there were repeated
however. It was time for a renovation.
interruptions due to the concrete work for
The courthouse was expanded through an
the dividing walls. The wood element construc-
annex. «We were allowed to make changes to
tion was inserted between the exposed
the timber joists in the existing building.
concrete annex and the old building.
We also handled the insulation of the screed
and the entire floor structure. In the annex,
the task was to produce and install the suppor­
ting interior and exterior walls in a wood element construction,» says project manager Felix
Holenstein. His brother Peter, who also works
for us, was responsible for the renovation.
The new construction comprises a ground floor,
«EXISTING THEMES,
SUCH AS ‹COLOURATION›,
‹STRUCTURE AND
ARRANGEMENT› AND
‹ORNAMENTATION
AND CLADDING›, FROM
THE OLDER BUILDING
WERE REINTERPRETED
IN THE ANNEX.
WOOD PLAYED A VITAL
ROLE IN THE NEW
BUILDING.»
// Felix Holenstein / Project Manager
01/2016
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
GENERAL CONTRACTOR /17
Looking good:
living in
Vögelinsegg
We reported on the project in Vögelinsegg in
The project
ervation of the old tree stock, the architectural
Speicher, AR, in the previous news issue.
Vögelinsegg Wohnen AG, in which many long-
differentiation from the large clinic buildings
We are involved in the project as site manager
time residents of this extraordinary town are
and the orientation of the apartments towards
and timber builder. The digging has already
involved, is building three apartment buildings
the spectacular views of Lake Constance,
begun and official sales will start in the coming
in timber, compliant with the Minergie stand-
the city of St. Gallen and the Appenzell region.
weeks. More information is available at
ard, with a total of 30 residential units with
The three buildings form an inviting courtyard
www.voegelinsegg-wohnen.ch.
2.5 to 6.5 rooms. The plans even include wood
with old linden trees, a fountain and seating
stairways. The concept from architect Hubert
opt­ions where residents can meet each other.
Bischoff impressed the jury with its pain­
The architecture has a modern urban style and
staking approach to the surroundings, its pres-
fits perfectly into the Appenzell surroundings.
Immobilien
St. Gallen AG
Industrial timber
con­struc­­­­­­­tion on the rise
Planning for the industrial building in St. Gallen
optimisation processes, the building structure
Winkeln started in November 2014. The
ultimately went up very quickly on the site.
buildings even more attractive in the future.
«WE ASSESS THE
FEASIBILITY
AND DEVELOP
ECONOMICAL SOLU­
TIONS. THE WAYS
OF GETTING THERE
ARE UNIQUE
IN EACH CASE.»
After the long planning phase and the
// Migga Hug / Division Manager GU
objective of the project was to build a flexible,
economical industrial building from wood.
The ground floor is a timber frame construc-
To ensure optimal use of the building, a cost-
tion with insulated sheet metal sandwich
effectiveness analysis was carried out before
panels, while the first floor is constructed of
commencement of the project. The analysis
wood elements and clad with a sheet metal
made it possible to determine the ideal size
façade. Also striking are the solid stair and lift
and shape of the industrial building.
core, and the red-coloured staircase.
The results were extremely illuminating and
will make timber construction of industrial
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
01/2016
18
/SILO SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION
«THE CUSTOMER WAS
OVERWHELMED BY THE
EFFICIENT EXECUTION
OF THE CONSTRUCTION
ON SITE. THE COL­
LABORATION WITH THE
OWNER AND THE SITE
MANAGER WAS SIMPLY
THE BEST.»
// Sascha Aerne / Project Manager
Mammoth project in Bern:
three 900 m3 silos
Just how much dedication our employees pour
manager. The silo facility is part of a three-year
Aerne and his team managed to finish the tim-
into their work is demonstrated by the con-
reconstruction of the work yard, which is being
ber and steel construction ahead of schedule.
struction of the new silo facility in Bern Wank-
gradually demolished during operations and
The customer’s feedback was accordingly
dorf. Sascha Aerne is beaming. «It will take
new buildings going up in the freed-up space.
pleasing. «The customer was overwhelmed by
a bit of time and a few hours with the silo facil-
«The silos therefore had to fit in with the over-
the efficient execution of the construction
ity in operation before I fully realise what
all concept,» explains Sascha Aerne. In ad­­dition
on site. The collaboration with the owner and
we’ve achieved,» says the project manager, as
to the technical requirements, the architectural
the site manager was simply the best.» Ten em-
he looks back over the past year. «It’s the most
expectations were exceptionally high: the
ployees from BL Silobau AG were involved
special and biggest project that I ever had
façade was adapted to match the work yard
in the mammoth project. Among the challenges
the chance to do,» he continues. He is talking
with grey-black rhomboid formwork, while the
presented by this project were the planning
about the largest salt silo system constructed in
steel base and the chromium steel parts match
and structural engineering of the three silos, the
this manner in Europe to date. The project
the façade and are colour-coated. Even the
conveyor technology with a 32-metre height
started in 2005 with the first contact with the
screens for controlling the systems, labels and
difference, and the complex logistics in a very
owner. Nine years later, the tender phase
pipes are in line with the architectural concept.
tight space. The facility is fully automated.
began. «We were delighted when we received
the project. We started the planning in February 2015.»
A total of 250,000 screws were used with 4.5
tonnes of chromium steel and 100 tonnes
of wood, and 35 semi-trailer loads delivered the
The three salt silos have a capacity of 900 m3
material to the construction site. «The major
each. BL Silobau AG pulled off another world
project went very well. The planning and
première in the process. «We implemented
construc­tion time just flew by.» At the topping-
a 78-metre conveyor system with a capacity of
out, the team had excellent luck with the
up to 50 tonnes an hour,» notes the project
weather. Thanks to an optimal process, Sascha
01/2016
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
19
Andri Sinzig, project manager for ASTRA,
How did you find the collaboration with
talks about the project and the collaboration
Blumer-Lehmann?
with BL Silobau AG.
«The team from Blumer-Lehmann acted in a
cooperative and fast manner throughout.
How was your experience of the building
In the planning phase in particular, it was cer­­­
project?
tainly not always easy for Blumer-Lehmann
«The project first became more concrete
as we had B Architekten AG on board, a design
in 2009. Six years passed between the project
conscience that has its eye on everything
idea to the start of construction, which
down to the smallest detail. During the construc-
seems rather long for a project of this size.
tion phase, Blumer-Lehmann delivered a
These years were extremely exciting, however
flawless performance. It always met all the
– it’s a great honour, as an infrastructure
specifications in terms of deadlines, costs
builder, to lead such a large-scale construction
and quality. I have nothing but praise for its
project. And the phase of the project definition,
work.»
the architecture competition and the subsequent development of the construction project
What advantages will the new facilities yield
will definitely stay with me. And the initial
for the winter road service department?
results are very impressive too.»
«For area unit 1, the implementation of the
project represents a quantum leap. The techno-
Has anything made a particular impression
logical leap is a good 30 years. With the
on you?
new facility, the vehicles can be loaded more
«Over the course of the project, I was in con-
efficiently and salt management has been
tact with many very different people.
made significantly simpler. The space require-
So far we have had no major interpersonal pro­­­­-
ments for storage have been optimised –
blems, which was not a foregone conclusion.
and the storage quantity raised at the same
The planning and construction industry has out­-
time. And last but not least, the project also
standing professionals who know how
promotes job security. A full range of benefits
to apply their expertise to get the job done.
that will undoubtedly make the work much
It makes the work a real pleasure!»
easier for area unit 1.»
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE PROJECT
IS A QUANTUM LEAP.
THE TECHNOLOGICAL
LEAP IS A GOOD 30
YEARS. WITH THE NEW
FACILITY, VEHICLES
CAN BE LOADED MORE
EFFICIENTLY AND
SALT MANAGEMENT
HAS BEEN MADE SIG­­NI­
FICANTLY SIMPLER.
// Andri Sinzig
project manager / A STRA branch Thun
01/2016
/SILO SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION
20
Highly automated silos in St. Petersburg
When temperatures plummet in Russia
Russia is not known for its balmy winter nights.
silos with a volume of 200 m3 each, conveyor
The hard winters are therefore a perfect
systems with a capacity of 40 tonnes per
match for our robust silo and system techno­
hour, brine mixing facilities for calcium and so-
logy. After an initial wooden silo job in
dium chloride, and brine tanks with filling
St. Petersburg in 2013, requirements called for
stations. Installation began in October 2015.
additions. For the construction of two new
work yards, we delivered highly automated salt
Complete facility Tettnang
With everything – and a lot of salt
The town of Tettnang in Baden-Württemberg
a Quanto brine facility with a capacity
matically. With ideal facilities in place,
opted for an impressive array of our pro­­-
of 10,000 litres per hour, and a brine tank with
we wish everyone safe and enjoyable drive
ducts and received a complete winter facility
a volume of 40,000 litres. BL Silobau AG was
on Tettnang’s roads this coming winter.
consisting of a new 1,200 m3 salt warehouse
brought in as the general contractor. The salt is
with a modular conveyor system, a 250 m3 silo,
removed from the silo and weighed auto­
Small silos for St. Gallen
Compact design, big hatch
For the parks department of the town of
top with a truck-mounted crane shovel.
St. Gallen, we further developed our small silo:
With the manual segment slidegate, it is very
the two small silos, one each for gravel
easy to load the spreading vehicles.
and salt, were outfitted with hatches, enabling
them to be conveniently loaded from the
01/2016
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
21
Move within the neighbourhood
has a big effect
Blumer-Lehmann GmbH, our specialist in brine
The facility in Scharbeutz is a good example:
with a wheel loader. All pumps and control units
technology, has moved. Only a few kilometres,
in addition to the existing salt hall, we deliv-
are located in the adjacent technical room.
mind, from Untermeitingen to Klosterlechfeld
ered a new brine facility, including a technical
In addition to two smaller loading stations, a rapid
(the Bavarian towns are just two kilometres
room, consisting of a brine producer and
loading station was installed for full-wet
apart), but the effect is sure to be much greater
three storage tanks with 40,000, 30,000 and
brine spreading vehicles. The station has a con-
than the distance. The larger production floor
20,000-litre capacities. The electrically
veyor capacity to the spreading vehicle of
and additional storage space enable much
operated roof on the brine generator enables
more than 60 m3 per hour.
more efficient implementation of even larger
the salt to be fed into the brine producer
projects.
Basic – but not missing
a thing
We have expanded our line-up of brine facilities:
a salt silo and requires no additional floor
our Basic brine mixing facility automatically
space. Its functions include multiple electronic
produces a concentrated brine, and combines
measurements of the brine concentration,
a high brine mixing capacity (2,000 litres
warehousing the brine in tanks and pouring the
per hour) with a very compact design. The facility
brine directly into spreading vehicles.
is integrated into the supporting structure of
Service and maintenance
On the move for our cus­
tomers all around Europe
Two of our silos that we built some time ago had
to be moved to new locations this year.
In Loveresse, JU, we moved the silo facility
(two × 150 m3), built in 2009, to the other side
of the grounds due to the newly planned
work yard. The two 17-tonne silos were moved
in one fell swoop to the new foundation with
a large crane. The new work yard will also
receive a conveyor system and a Basic brine
facility in 2016.
In the tourist town of Saalfelden near Salzburg,
the winter road services base was moved
And St. Petersburg
once again?
We received the commission for all timber
con­struction with a new roof structure
within the municipality. To execute the move,
the 250 m silo was broken down into ele-
We’re still in Russia but in Moscow, some
for an old building and a new construction with
ments, reassembled and brought back online at
7,120 kilometres from St. Petersburg.
a very complex and high quality interior.
a new location in the village in just a few days.
Here, Blumer-Lehmann AG is a general contrac-
The image shows our assembly people install-
tor in a very exciting job that we are not at
ing the roof in this latest international
liberty to discuss in detail at this time.
project.
3
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
01/2016
/NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF WOOD
22 Follow
Lehmann Timber
Lehmann Timber Code AG
A new CNC technology centre
Code on LinkedIn
Lehmann Timber Code AG manufactures
commitment to working in Switzerland,» says
All six sides of a component can be processed
components for current developments in tim-
Katharina Lehmann, describing the starting
without any further clamping. The size of
ber construction: thanks to digital design,
point for the development of the new company
the manufactured parts is limited only by the
impressive feats of engineering and develop-
– the seventh company now under a single
means of transport – road, rail, water or air.
ments in timber-based materials, we are
holding structure. The grounds comprise some
The CNC system can process pieces up to a size
now able to construct timber designs that just
9,000 m2, formerly home to two halls.
of 5.5 metres in width and 27 metres in length.
a few years ago would have been possible
The larger of the two halls was half dismantled,
A processing height (Z-axis) of 1.35 metres is
only with other materials. A growing number
rebuilt and expanded, while the smaller hall
possible.
of top architects are now looking to the natural
was retained. The building application was sub-
high-tech material and the immense range
mitted in October 2014. Construction work
Modern digital production processes:
of design possibilities it opens up. An increas-
began in December of the same year. The move
IT and craftsmanship, hand in hand
ing number of landmark projects have been
into the new hall took place in April 2015,
The large production space, the globally unique
implemented with structural architecture,
and in July the new machine and the company
machinery and the newly developed software
where timber serves not just as cladding and
were ready for operation. An ambitious
components result in maximum efficiency,
protection but also provides the structure itself
schedule.
quality and reliability. The immense flexibility
and performance of the machinery require
in a striking architectural form. A who’s who
of international architects have shown great
«The heart of the production facility is a
a high level of software expertise to provide the
appreciation of timber, including Norman Foster,
60-metre long and six-metre wide CNC
essential high-quality code and correct infor-
Zaha Hadid, Herzog & de Meuron and that
machine. The machine is a TW Mill from Techno-
mation. Needless to say, Lehmann Timber Code
pioneer of sustainable construction and holder
wood that we have adapted to our needs in
AG also specialises in the preparation of
of the Pritzker award, Shigeru Ban.
close and intensive cooperation,» says
this data. The IT system is designed to allow all
Martin Antemann, CEO of the new company.
information associated with the geometric
New company, new location and a world
The Leh­mann Timber Code AG combines
features to be imported and supplemented with
première machine
digital expertise with traditional craftsmanship.
production and quality-related data. All data
«We needed space for the complex production
Using CAD/CAM software and powerful,
can be exported into the usual formats or further
of these timber components that we no
intelligent CNC production technology, the com­­­­
modified in additional process stages.
longer had at the seven-hectare Erlenhof site.
pany produces, mills, processes and pre-
So we checked out various locations in
assembles complex components – customised,
Switzerland and abroad and were fortunate to
multi-curved components and large dimen­­­­­­­-
find a suitable location nearby at the site
sion components for projects in Switzerland
of the former Frey machine and engine factory
and abroad. The CNC system consists of
on Bischofszellerstrasse in Gossau. A clear
a free-standing gantry with three five-axis
units and eight dollies for moving the
components.
01/2016
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
23
Complex timber construction components are planned
and produced quickly, flexibly and precisely with digital processes –
from the idea to the machine.
Martin Antemann describes the four products
and services of the new company
Consulting: as a specialist for component
production and form-making, we cover every­
thing from project development, feasibility
studies and design to the CAD/CAM processes.
Component production: we are a material and
system-independent partner for the production
and supply of special components and products in the timber construction field. Our timber
framing centre uses high-end CNC processes
that deliver the highest precision, flexibility and
speed.
Form-making: we put our comprehensive
expertise to use in timber construction projects,
and we develop or process all CNC machine
data into positive or negative forms. We assist
our customers in the development of forms for
custom and industrially produced parts.
Prototyping: our knowledge is not only significant for architectural milestone projects in
timber construction engineering, 3D modelling,
high-quality code and error-free information
for CNC machines are also critical for prototyping
large and small parts and in management of
3D printing. We use 3D models from customers
or develop them ourselves.
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
01/2016
24
/NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF WOOD
THE SMART TIMBER
PRODUCT LINE
INCLU­­DES SIGHT
SCREENS, STRUCTURED
WOOD AND 3D
FAÇADES. THEY CREATE
A PRIVATE SPACE
IN A CREATIVE, DESIGNCONSCIOUS WAY.
INDOORS OR OUT­­DOORS,
IN THE OFFICE OR AT
HOME, MOBILE OR FIXED,
PLAYFUL OR PLAIN.
SmART Timber
Nomen est omen
The name says it all in the new product line
With structured wood, you can design custom
from Lehmann Holzwerk AG: smart processing,
surfaces for interior and exterior design
design-conscious, creativity, intended for
purposes. Our structure planing machine pro-
interior and exterior architecture. SmART Timber
cesses any type of wood, lending it a three-
unites the themes of wood, design, art and
dimensional look for decking, floor strips,
architecture. The product line currently inclu­
façades, walls and ceilings.
des sight screens, structured wood and
With 3D façades, everything from elegant
3D façades.
structures to playful patterns and even lettering is possible. With special shapes and the
Sight screens create a private space in a crea-
interplay of light and shadows, every façade
tive, design-conscious way. Indoors or out-
has its own character.
doors, in the office or at home, mobile or fixed,
playful or plain. An attractive and striking
More information is available at
attention-grabber that protects any type of
www.smart-timber.ch.
area from view.
01/2016
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
25
We continue to invest
in the raw material – Swiss wood, naturally
Lehmann Holzwerk AG has made major invest-
Why we use Swiss wood
ments in the sawmill over the past year
We continue to advocate the use of Swiss
and optimised various processes. Among other
wood with great passion – one of Switzerland’s
things, a hammer mill was added for pellet
few – and locally renewable – resources.
production; it enables us to crush and process
We appreciate the diversity of possible uses,
wood chips, a by-product of the sawmill,
our well-tended forests, the little grey
into pellets. This means a 50% increase in annual
energy used thanks to short transport routes,
production, from 12,000 to 18,000 tonnes.
and of course the economic significance
of the many jobs in the forestry industry and
We use by-products exclusively from our
the economy as a whole. This is particularly
sawmill and planing operations, which enables
true in more rural areas of Switzerland. Here
us to guarantee a high and consistent level of
at Erlenhof, we use wood in a completely
quality. We will soon also increase the capacity
sustainable manner – from the sawmill and
of our drying chambers, which we operate
every facet of timber construction to
with heat from our own power plant, thus bo­
the production of pellets and briquettes, and
os­ting the efficiency of the drying process.
heat and elec­tricity in our power plant.
WE CONTINUE
TO ADVOCATE THE USE
OF SWISS WOOD
WITH GREAT PASSION –
ONE OF SWITZERLAND’S
FEW – AND LOCALLY
RENEWABLE – RE­SO­U­R­­­CES.
In its spectacular new buildings in Biel, which we
have the privilege to implement, the Swatch Group
is opting for Swiss wood.
Sustainability all the way –
e-mobility comes to Erlenhof
Our employees have taken to moving around
Electric charging station with Swisscharge
on electric scooters – or using the trusty
There is now even a public electric charging
old plant bicycles, which are as popular as ever.
stat­ion from the Swisscharge network
Transport at Erlenhof is increasingly made
on our grounds.
without the use of the combustion engine –
thanks to our new electric forklifts. Thus, our
More information is available at
fleet of electric vehicles is growing larger
www.swisscharge.ch.
all the time.
We wish everyone a pleasant and safe
journey – with wood in the tank.
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
01/2016
26
/INTERNAL
Life in the service of timber construction
Richard Jussel, CEO of Blumer-Lehmann AG,
Do you have time for hobbies?
has helped shape our company for 32 years.
«When I was younger, I was an active boxer.
In addition to acquisitions, customer relations
And when I was 15, I began taking pictures of
and leadership of the company, he regards
tree bark. I’ve assembled some 20,000 photo-
his most important responsibility as the inter-
graphs from around the world since then.
nal project development at the beginning
Every tree bark is unique.»
of a contract. We asked him a few questions.
What have been the important investments
What drives you?
at Erlenhof in recent years?
«I have spent my entire life working with
«In our company, major investments always
wood and have seen many innovative develop-
have to be made – in technology and,
ments emerge. What has always excited
above all, in our employees and their capa­
me is the creative ideas of the architects and
bilities. From a technical standpoint, we’ve
planners, which we are then able to implement
prepared ourselves for the future with our new
at the highest level with our many years of
production hall, which allows us to produce
experience. The appeal, or the fascination,
modular units and elements much more
is always in the design. It might be a modular
efficien­tly, and with our latest sister company,
construction, a prefabricated building or
Lehmann Timber Code AG, which has a state-
a special free-form project. Beyond the key
of-the-art CNC competence centre.»
elements of digital planning and production,
craftsmanship remains a crucial factor.»
Race to the top
As part of our 140th anniversary celebrations, in addition
to the Woodrock concert evening, we organised various events
for our customers and partners. Blumer-Lehmann AG invited
guests to join us on a tour of our highlights. The two-day timber
construction trip took guests on an eastern Switzerland tour
of some of our project highlights of the past 18 months:
from Hotel Säntispark up to the heights of Hotel Schwägalp and
the mountain-top building in Chäserrugg, before heading
back down to Lake Zurich and the enchanting Himmapan Lodge
at Knies Kinderzoo.
01/2016
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
27
Best wishes for this
new phase of your life
Magnus Ledergerber
Among the employees who have entered a new
Marius Looser
phase of their lives with retirement, a few –
after 45 years
by modern standards – worked for an exception-
with the company
after 49 years
with the company
ally long time with us. Many thanks and all
the best to you. You’ll always be welcome at
Werner Büsser
Erlenhof.
after seven years
with the company
Thanks for your loyalty!
Stefan Frei
Thomas Metzger
Hansueli Preisig
Roman Schoch
Thomas Keller
Marco Schiess
Robert Huser
Roland Meier
Marius Looser
10 years
20 years
45 years
The majority of our employees stay with us for
many years. We do our best to create good
working conditions and offer fulfilling activities,
but we don’t take years of loyal service for
15 years
25 years
Jakob Frischknecht
Ralph Lehmann
Berno Hochreutener
Stipo Valentic
Roger Hochreutener
Dörig Christoph
granted, so thank you for your dedication and
your contribution to the success of our op­
erations.
Beat Casanova
Jris Frieden
Generally, we have
20 apprentices and interns
in our companies
We warmly congratulate our young professionals on
the successful completion of their apprenticeships.
We’re delighted for you, and wish you all the best and
much enjoyment in your career paths.
From left: Hansueli Frei, Christian Giger (apprentice support Blumer-Lehmann AG), Christoph Müller, Florian Daberkow, Reto Friemel, Fabian Göldi
(carpentry EFZ, Blumer-Lehmann AG) // Daniel Stricker, Daniel Eisenring (sawyer EFZ, wood processing EBA, both Lehmann Holzwerk AG)
// Beni Herbert, Jessica Gloor (apprentice support Lehmann Holzwerk AG) // Melanie Schilliger (clerk EFZ, Lehmann Holzwerk AG).
National
Future Day 2015
National Future Day 2015 – as it is every year
at Erlenhof. We hope that our «young pros­
pects» had a lot of fun watching, discovering
and actively doing. See you next year!
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
01/2016
28
/INTERNAL
Woodrock
140th anniversary event
In 2015, our group of companies celebrated its
140th anniversary. The Woodrock concert evening
on 22 August provided a suitable backdrop for
the occasion. We would like to thank everyone who
helped make this event a success, and all guests
for their attendance. Together with our employees,
customers and partners, we look forward to the
coming years and new challenges.
01/2016
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
29
Summer party and topping-out
Lehmann Timber Code
For once, our traditional summer party did not take place
at Erlenhof: for the first time, we used the new production hall
of Lehmann Timber Code AG on Bischofszellerstrasse
in Gossau, and at the same time celebrated the topping-out
ceremony for the new hall. There’s no shortage of space
in the hall, as the dimensions and space requirements of the
new TW Mill CNC facility are impressive indeed.
Our teams on tour
Team and company excursions are a traditional
part of our annual programme – to strengthen
team spirit and expand our horizons.
This year the GU/ Modular Construction1 depart-
The excursion2 for the project managers and
of the hour. Our fleet, in spite of spur-of-the-
ment made its way to the World Expo in
sales team from Blumer-Lehmann AG first
moment investment requests, was not entirely
Milan – as usual a veritable Eldorado for timber
stopped at Daimler in Sindelfingen. They were
switched over to high-end Mercedes models.
construction as the ultimate form of inno­-
able to experience first-hand what «lean
This was followed in the afternoon by a visit to
va­tive temporary construction.
production» means. At the Center of Excellence,
the Himmapan Lodge at Knies Kinderzoo,
test-sits and daydreaming were the order
which we constructed.
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
01/2016
/INTERNA
30 140 years of passion for wood
From the early days to the present
What have been the most striking changes
Was something organised for the employees
through their archives and contributed to
over the past 140 years?
as well? Special excursions, a party, etc.?
the book. It has turned out to be a very beauti-
There's an old German saying: you have
The Woodrock event was not just for our
ful and informative documentation of our his-
to keep changing to stay true to yourself. What
customers and partners, but also for our em-
tory, into which many people put much effort.
has remained the same over all these years
ployees, their families and friends. The idea
is the passion for wood and the enjoyment
was to have a party for everyone at which we
As part of the anniversary celebrations, the
of how versatile this natural material is. Much
could all just relax and have a good time.
Woodrock event was held with numerous con-
has changed over the years: what was once
And we also had our traditional summer party,
certs. How did the idea take shape? Who were
a waterwheel-powered sawmill has become an
which this year was also the topping-out
the guests? And how were the concerts re-
integrated group of seven companies in the
ceremony for the new hall at Lehmann Timber
ceived by the audience?
wood industry and timber construction sector.
Code AG.
Woodrock has become something of a tradition
From logs to the sawmill and wood pro­c­es­s­ing,
at Erlenhof. The first time such concerts were
timber construction in every facet, to the
For the 140th anniversary, a book on the
held 10 years ago, it was organised rather
supply of energy with pellets and our own bio-
history of the operations at Erlenhof has been
spontaneously and we had many more guests
mass power plant, today we cover the entire
published. Could you give us a brief summary
than anticipated. This year, we discussed
value creation chain and use wood completely
of its contents?
how we wanted to celebrate our anniversary
in a sustainable manner.
The 56-page book presents an overview of
in a fitting and authentic way, and came to
the last 140 years. From the early days, when
the conclusion that we wanted to have music
Has wood and timber construction gained
only a small part of Erlenhof was used for the
and a diverse mix of guests, including cus­
a different connotation – has it become a trend?
sawmill, to today, when we are pushing the
tomers and partners, employees, their families
Wood and timber construction has always been
boundaries of Erlenhof and our newest compa-
and friends. One thing was very important
important throughout human history – but
ny had to settle outside the Erlenhof grounds.
to us: the event should invite people to relax
the meaning of wood has changed repeatedly,
The book recounts stories about people,
and have a good time. The feedback was very
and particularly over the past century,
the various companies, our fields of activity,
positive. The concerts, from local rock bands
timber construction has continually reinvented
which have become ever more diverse in
who were there at the première, to internation-
itself through many technological advance-
recent years, and, above all, our ideals and our
ally performing jazz acts, provided a won­-
ments. Today, timber construction, in terms of
family-based corporate culture. Many exciting
der­ful open-air atmosphere in which one could
sustainability and technological possibilities,
episodes from the rich history of a family-
either engage with the music or step back
clearly represents the future of the construction
run business.
and chat with partners and friends. 1,200
industry. And as a regional, CO2-material,
wood is an eminently important resource –
not least for Switzerland.
guests celebrated into the early hours. Thank
How was the book received?
you!
The book was very well received because
it was the first time that we had told the history
// Raphael Imhof
from the very beginning to today in such
Head of Marketing and Communications
detail. Many people who are close to the companies and the Lehmann family combed
01/2016
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
31
1 // The new Tamedia building in Zurich
2 // The longitudinal bracing of our own production hall
3 // Regional sports centre in Sargans
Prizes and awards
Highly distinguished!
For the third time following 2009 and 2012,
structure was developed by the company itself.
er where the stairway and open or closed
the Prix Lignum was again awarded on
A girder system with steel tension rods spans
meeting rooms are located. The building not
a Switzerland-wide basis this year. Its aim is
the 80 metre long hall. For longitudinal bracing,
only points the way to a bright future, but also
to raise awareness and promote forward-
the company constructed an arch of wooden
shows what can be done with wood when
looking work with wood. For the five regions –
beams arranged in a parabolic structure. The
planners are able to let their imaginations take
West, Middle, North, East and Central –
supporting structure is light and intuitive, and
flight. It is a milestone achievement, a prestig-
the juries awarded three prizes and a number
the noise-insulating roof elements create
ious building and a construction masterpiece
of honours. In September, two of «our’ projects
a friendly atmosphere. The functional building
that embodies the passion for timber construc-
were honoured: in the North region, the new
was efficiently planned, the details are co­
tion.
construction for Tamedia AG was given an hon-
herent and the structural solutions are sound.
ourable mention. In the East region, our own
Thus, the building demonstrates that even
production and assembly hall was commended.
large halls and façades can be built using wood
– and at absolutely competitive prices.
The official evaluation of our production hall
is as follows:
The new Tamedia AG building was honoured
as follows:
Space for industrial production
For a more efficient production of elements
High-flown timber
and modules, the timber construction company
The Tamedia media company has treated itself
Blumer-Lehmann built a new production
to a new headquarters in Zurich that aims
facility. It demonstrates: industrialisation is con-
for the stars. The Japanese Pritzker prize winner
­­tinu­ing in great strides, which in turn is
Shigeru Ban designed a baroque, sweeping
One of our projects also gained praise from the
making timber construction even more com­
timber frame that exudes charisma from behind
International Olympic Committee IOC:
petitive and capable. With 4,000 m2 of space,
a glass façade. The building is a special design;
the building provides space for modern
the usual rules of timber construction do not
At the IOC/IAKS awards, the new Sportzentrum
element production and pre-assembly, a fully
apply here. The unusual thickening of the lifting
Sargans building took second place in the
automated warehouse and offices. The new
beams and a beech wood bolt ensure rigid
«Indoor facilities for sports, leisure and recrea-
building is precisely calibrated to its purpose:
connections without a single metal part. All wood
tion’ category. Particular praise was reserved
it optimises processes and follows the material
components were milled from laminated
for the sustainability of the timber construction
flow. The 45 degree angle of the roof allows
beams with millimetre precision by a comput-
and the local craftsmanship. The Sportzentrum
abundant light into the interior, which creates a
er-controlled system. The spruce beams are of
Riet, with a four-section wood sports hall,
pleasant working environment. The sloping
the highest quality. The ceilings are painted
opened in summer 2012. We’re absolutely de-
roof and the offset arrangement of the sections
white to accentuate the timber frame. The glass
lighted – the Olympic motto «citius, altius,
of the hall give the space a lighter feel than
façade extends into the timber frame as a
fortius» (faster, higher, stronger) is also a great
the volume would suggest. The supporting
three-metre wide zone, forming a climate buff-
fit with the capabilities of timber construction.
www.blumer-lehmann.ch
01/2016
PUBLISHING DETAILS
Publisher
Editor
Blumer-Lehmann AG
Raphael Imhof
Erlenhof, 9200 Gossau
Printer
Concept and design
Walpen AG, 9200 Gossau
Pinax AG für Marketing
und Kommunikation
Print run
Print edition in German:
Text
7,500.
Pinax AG für Marketing
Available as a PDF
und Kommunikation,
in English and French.
Raphael Imhof
www.blumer-lehmann.ch