Svatoš-Ražnjević, H; Boeva, Y; Kropp, C and Menges, A (2025) Trajectories from standard to incremental and pioneering innovation in timber construction: Multi-storey timber buildings in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Building Research & Information, 53(6), pp. 734-758. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
This article examines innovation trajectories in multi-storey timber design and construction in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) and the factors influencing them. The DACH region is at the forefront of timber innovation due to long-standing traditions in carpentry and timber construction, the development of pioneering products and projects, and the availability of fabrication facilities and wood resources. Combining an architectural design survey of 99 multi-storey buildings and the related timber building systems, an actor-networks analysis, and stakeholder interviews, the paper identifies three innovation trajectories: (1) standard innovation, (2) incremental innovation, and (3) pioneering innovation in timber construction. The results show the growth and prevalence of the incremental innovation trajectory across DACH due to the relatively low, efficiency-driven levels of digitalization in practice and an overwhelming variety of timber products as the main barriers to the wider adoption of the other trajectories.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | design analysis; innovation; interviews; multi-storey timber buildings; timber construction |
| Index terms: | architectural design, design analysis, Germany, timber construction, Switzerland, Austria, survey, digitalization, interview, fabrication, design and construction, building system, wood, efficiency |
| Subjects: | digital technology, design analysis, contractual arrangements, manufacturing engineering, Geography, data collection methods, engineering systems, design practice, performance management, traditional and composite building materials |
| Topics: | Procurement, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Quality Management, Research Practice, Construction Materials, Design Practice, Digital Applications |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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