The new three-storey office building in Horn represents an important step in the continued development of Graf Holztechnik’s workplace environment. Following more than thirty years in a temporary container complex, the company’s staff relocated to a modern timber building offering approximately 3,000 m² of workspace for more than 100 employees.

Concept

The new building combines architectural quality with functional workplace design. Timber construction was selected in line with the company’s longstanding expertise and experience in this field. The dry construction method enabled an efficient construction process and rapid on-site assembly, supported by the company’s in-house construction specialists.

Architecture and structural solutions

The building, designed by SPS Architekten, impresses with its spacious and open layout. At its heart lies a striking, twelve-meter-high, light-filled atrium featuring elegant Sylva™ CLT staircases made of exposed mass timber, creating a vibrant hub for communication. The walls, ceilings, and stair stringers were all constructed using high-quality, double-coated mass timber. 

The Sylva CLT walls, standing over three metres tall (XL format), and the large, coated Sylva ceiling elements (more than 100 m²) create a warm, natural atmosphere and set new standards for modern, sustainable construction.

“The reasons for using hydrophobic coatings were not only to achieve more uniform surfaces for a consistent overall appearance, but also to minimize contamination and allow easier cleaning during construction, to ensure simple maintenance after completion, and to reduce post-yellowing caused by UV radiation,” says Roland Ernst, Head of Timber Construction at Graf Holztechnik.

Functionality and space planning

Spread over three floors, the building offers employees around 40 offices along with generous meeting and social spaces. The flexible layout accommodates more than 100 individually designed workplaces, fostering both open communication and focused work.

Sustainability and certification

The new building was designed in accordance with defined project and quality standards and is targeting ÖGNI Gold certification (Austrian Sustainable Building Council).

With this new office building, Leyrer + Graf received an ÖGNI award in the category “Sustainable Construction Site.” Green façade elements, extensive timber surfaces, electric vehicle charging stations, and generous bicycle parking facilities are integral components of the project concept. The consistent use of PEFC-certified wood reflects the project’s material and quality standards.

With its new headquarters in Horn, Graf Holztechnik has created a contemporary workplace environment that combines architectural quality with functional design. The building reflects the company’s expertise in timber construction and its focus on long-term development and innovation.

About the architects

sps÷architekten is renowned for its architecture practice focused on the development of functional and carefully designed spaces with an emphasis on contemporary architectural solutions. 

Their project portfolio includes residential, commercial, and industrial projects, with experience in timber construction and the use of prefabricated building systems.

Notable projects include Agricultural centre Maishofen, Eco Pavilion, Nordic World Ski Championships, and CIS - Centre for Inclusion and Special Education.

“We take great pride in our bravery to embark on this large-scale project, genuinely making a significant impact. Our sustainability goals are ambitious and achieving them requires taking bold actions; minor adjustments won’t suffice. Through this initiative, we also aim to set an example and motivate others in the industry to pursue a similar direction”, says architect Simon Speigner.

About the contractors

Leyrer + Graf Baugesellschaft m.b.H was responsible for the building construction, civil engineering, and energy and telecommunications services for this project.

Leyrer + Graf was founded in 1926 by Dipl.-Ing. Anton Leyrer and now led by the Graf family, is one of Austria’s leading construction companies. With around 2,700 employees across 18 locations, the company excels in building construction, civil engineering, and energy and telecommunications services.