Hinzenbach, Austria, is a hub for winter sports, particularly ski jumping, thanks to its location and long-standing tradition. With the increasing number of visitors and the growing popularity of ski jumping events, there was a need for better facilities as the previous infrastructure, consisting of temporary containers needing to be set up each season and dismantled, was unsightly and inadequate.

The new facilities provide 50 athletes with state-of-the-art facilities. There are 26 service rooms spanning 195 m², 22 changing rooms covering 191 m², and a 60 m² dining hall, all designed to meet the high standards required for international competitions.

Pointinger Bau GmbH, the property developers, and the general contractor behind the project have a reputation for integrating modern techniques with contemporary aesthetic standards that have a small carbon footprint, making the Sylva™ kit by Stora Enso the perfect choice for this application.

The Sylva CLT Walls, Floors and Roofs generated less than ten tonnes of greenhouse gases (CO₂e) to manufacture and transport from the mill in Ybbs. Compared to the 124 tonnes of carbon dioxide that the trees removed while they were growing and will store in for the facilities this is a small fraction. Choosing a Sylva CLT kit instead of non-renewables avoided 187 tonnes of greenhouse gases which is one of the reasons Sylva kits are so popular to work with. (Source: Carbon Calculator)

Application of Sylva

By using Sylva CLT Floors and Roofs, Pointinger were able to create a permanent, low-emission structure that is both durable, functional and inviting for guests.

Structural integrity: Sylva CLT Roofs and Floors are relatively lightweight but have a very high load-bearing capacity, so they can support additional weight, such as snow in winter, with minimal foundations.

Energy efficiency: Wood naturally has excellent thermal insulation properties, which contribute to a stable indoor climate and reduce the energy costs associated with heating and cooling.

Sustainably managed forests: The wood used to make the Sylva kit in this project used the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certified wood which ensures that the raw materials come from sustainably managed forests.

Logistics: The scenic and mountainous location was accessible for 12 regular-sized trucks to deliver the kit of parts with minimal sound pollution for the local community. They were preinstalled lifting devices (blind hole power clamps) using Sylva Connect Services™ so they could be picked directly off of the trucks and maneuvered into position reducing the need for onsite storage.

Are you interested in other sporting facilities built with a Sylva kit of parts?

Nordic World Ski Championship's Pavilion 2023

Athletes' Village Ski Flying World Championships

Nordic World Ski Championships 2015 Administration Office

Eco Pavilion, Nordic World Ski Championships

Are there enough trees to build with wood?

Yes! European forests are getting bigger. Since 1990, the volume of trees has increased by one-half, and the total forested area has increased by around 9%. You can learn more about why forests are getting bigger with Maximilian Pramreiter Institute of Wood Technology and Renewable Resources (BOKU), Vienna and Dr Galina Churkina, (a mathematician who actually counted and checked) in our podcast.