LaubÖkoLet
Credits
Designer
Ingenieurbüro Blödt, Bauphysik
Year
2026
Location
Darmstadt (DE)
Disciplines
Concept
Category
Circular Design
Award
Best of Best
Details
The guidelines for the Laubökolet research project specified a system study for circular construction with hardwood. The project presents two timber skeleton concepts for urban buildings that combine ecological, economic, and circular principles. Hardwood is used instead of softwood and is technically verified, environmentally sound, and economically attractive. The focus is on adaptation instead of demolition, with flexible timber skeleton structures for versatile redevelopment. The project is also circular and climate-conscious, with CO₂ reduction of up to 65% and material-pure recycling.
The Jury‘s Statement
When the name says it all: rather than resorting to softwoods as is customary, the research project Laubökolet harnesses the enormous potential of hardwoods – as a key raw material and load-bearing building material of the future – for multi-storey urban timber frame construction. The system’s particular flexibility is another key advantage; it is designed to meet Class 5 building requirements and utilises a modular column grid. Buildings no longer need to be condemned to demolition but instead shine thanks to their adaptability. Should the time come when a building reaches the end of its useful life, the components can be easily separated from one another for single-material recycling. True to the cradle-to-cradle principle, the pillars of the concept are circularity, durability, reusability, and ease of disassembly.
