Key Facts at a Glance

• Project: Grundfos Global Headquarters
• Location: Bjerringbro, Denmark
• Client: Grundfos Holding A/S
• Architecture: AART architects (Aarhus, Denmark)
• Structural Engineering: NIRAS (Copenhagen, Denmark)
• General Contractor: MT Højgaard Danmark A/S
• Construction Method: Five storey office building in timber hybrid construction using timber and concrete
• Timber Products: Approximately 1,300 m³ of glued laminated timber (glulam) and 2,500 m³ of cross laminated timber (CLT) supplied by the HASSLACHER group
• Special Feature of the Timber Structure: Quadruple block glued composite glulam members used to transfer loads from the upper floors despite the recessed ground floor
• Services by HESS TIMBER GmbH: Consulting and concept development, planning and engineering, project management, supply of timber components

Timber Hybrid Construction for the Grundfos Global Headquarters in Denmark

In Bjerringbro, the Danish headquarters of pump and water solutions company Grundfos, the new Global Headquarters is taking shape as a five storey office building in timber hybrid construction and defined by its circular geometry. The distinctive building form presented design complexities which were overcome with innovative timber structural solutions.

A timber hybrid building combines load-bearing elements made of timber and reinforced concrete, with each material used where it performs best. Concrete is typically used for the stabilising core and the foundation slab, while timber is used for floor elements, columns and beams in a structural frame system.

HESS TIMBER GmbH, a company of the HASSLACHER group based in Kleinheubach, Germany, supported the timber construction project from the early planning stages through to the delivery of the timber components. The scope of services included consulting and concept development, planning and engineering, project management, and the supply of timber construction products. A total of approximately 1,300 m³ of glulam and 2,500 m³ of CLT has been supplied. The timber products were manufactured at the Hermagor facility of HASSLACHER Holzbausysteme GmbH and the Stall im Mölltal facility of NORITEC Holzindustrie GmbH, both companies of the HASSLACHER group.

Sustainability: Carbon Storage and Timber Origin

As a renewable raw material, wood absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during growth. Through photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is separated into carbon and oxygen. The oxygen is released back into the atmosphere, while the carbon remains stored in the solid wood mass for the long term.

The glulam and CLT used in the project were supplied by the HASSLACHER group and manufactured in accordance with the relevant harmonised technical specifications for structural timber components. The timber originates from controlled sources and forests managed according to stringent standards.

Complex Timber Structure with Fourfold Block Glued Composite Glulam Members

A particular structural challenge arose from the recessed ground floor. While the upper storeys extend to the outer perimeter of the building, the ground floor is set back to create a continuous covered outdoor area around the building. As a result, the loads from the upper floors cannot be transferred directly to the ground and must be redirected through specialised structural solutions.

To achieve this complex load transfer, specially developed quadruple block glued glulam beams were used. These large scale timber members consist of four glulam beams bonded together to form a composite cross section. They carry a substantial portion of the loads from the upper floors and are among the most technically sophisticated components within the timber structure.

Manufacturing, Handling and Transport of Large Scale Timber Components

The dimensions of the large scale glulam beams and columns also created special requirements for production, handling, logistics and transportation. The beams, some of which reached considerable dimensions, required precise coordination of manufacturing and logistics processes and were only permissible in loads of five components per truck.

FAQ

Where is the Grundfos Global Headquarters located? The Grundfos Global Headquarters is located in Bjerringbro, Denmark, the historic home of pump manufacturer Grundfos in the Central Denmark Region.

What makes the Grundfos Global Headquarters special? The Grundfos Global Headquarters in Bjerringbro is a five storey office building constructed as a timber concrete hybrid structure. Its circular geometry is a defining architectural feature. The building provides workspace for approximately 660 employees while offering the benefits of timber construction, including the use of a renewable material, shorter construction times, a high degree of prefabrication and long term carbon storage.

Which timber products were used for the Grundfos Global Headquarters? Approximately 1,300 m³ of glulam and 2,500 m³ of CLT supplied by the HASSLACHER group were used in the project. A key feature is the use of quadruple block glued glulam beams for transferring loads from the upper floors.

Who designed the Grundfos Global Headquarters? The architecture was designed by AART architects, while structural engineering was provided by NIRAS. The general contractor is MT Højgaard Danmark A/S. Timber engineering services were carried out by HESS TIMBER GmbH, a company of the HASSLACHER group, from planning through to the delivery of the timber components.

What was the role of the HASSLACHER group and HESS TIMBER GmbH? HESS TIMBER GmbH, a company of the HASSLACHER group located in Kleinheubach, Germany, supported the project from the early planning phase through to the delivery of the timber components. The scope included consulting and concept development, planning and engineering, project management and the supply of all structural timber elements.

What are quadruple block glued glulam members? Quadruple block glued composite members consist of four glulam beams that are connected through a specialised bonding process to create a rigid and shear resistant composite section. This composite cross section can carry and transfer very high loads. Such members are commonly used as columns or beams in multi storey timber buildings and large span halls.

Why were the glulam transfer beams at the Grundfos Global Headquarters special? These large scale glulam beams carry a significant portion of the loads from the upper floors and make the recessed ground floor with its continuous covered outdoor area possible. Their dimensions and weight also created significant challenges for manufacturing, handling and transportation.

Why was timber construction chosen for the Grundfos Headquarters? Timber hybrid construction combines architectural flexibility with a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to conventional reinforced concrete construction. Timber stores carbon throughout its service life, enables a high level of prefabrication and reduces construction time on site. For companies such as Grundfos, which pursue ambitious sustainability goals, this construction method represents a clear commitment to climate friendly architecture.