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Cibao International Airport – Freeform Roof Structure in Glulam and Cross-Laminated Timber
HESS TIMBER, a company of the HASSLACHER group, developed, oversaw production, delivered, and assembled the entire timber load-bearing structure for the new terminal at Cibao International Airport in Santiago de los Caballeros (Dominican Republic). The result is a freeform roof made of approximately 1,750 m³ of glulam and 23,000 m² of cross-laminated timber (CLT).
Key project facts at a glance:
• Freeform roof structure for the new terminal at Cibao International Airport
• Load-bearing system supported by 128 glulam column heads
• Primary beams up to 45 m in length and approx. 25 m span
• Combination of glulam beams and CLT roof elements
• High degree of prefabrication for efficient logistics to the Caribbean
Architecture and terminal concept
The new terminal at Cibao International Airport in Santiago de los Caballeros is part of a major expansion aimed at increasing airport capacity and improving passenger handling.
The design by Luis Vidal + Architects interprets the surrounding topography and translates it into a continuous freeform timber roof landscape. The exposed timber structure defines the interior space of the terminal and combines architectural identity with sustainable construction.
Glulam structure with large spans
The load-bearing system is transferred through 128 glulam column heads and spans large areas of the terminal. Individual beams weigh up to approx. 8,500 kg. In total, around 1,750 m³ of glulam, produced at the group’s site in Kleinheubach (HASSLACHER Holzbauteile GmbH & Co. KG) were used.
HESS LIMITLESS: Scarf joint system for long-span beams in container transport
The primary beams were executed as continuous elements using HESS LIMITLESS, reaching lengths of up to 45 m with spans of around 25 m. The patented scarf joint system enables long-span roofing solutions through factory-segmented components, offering clear advantages for international projects:
• Container-compatible: fast, simple, and cost-efficient transport in ISO standard containers
• Full structural performance despite joint connections – without steel components
• Visually unobtrusive connection for exposed architecture
• High fire resistance
• Proven system: over 15 years of global application
CLT roof elements: 23,000 m² roof area with integrated skylights
The roof surface consists of approximately 23,000 m² of cross-laminated timber (CLT) elements, produced at the group’s site in Stall (NORITEC Holzindustrie GmbH). These elements serve both as the roof structure and for the integration of skylights.
Geometry and design of the freeform roof structure
The structure combines straight and curved glulam beams with tapered secondary members.
This results in a dense structural system that precisely reflects the freeform geometry of the roof landscape. The implementation required exact coordination of all components and continuous digital planning.
Logistics and prefabrication in international projects
Due to the project location in the Caribbean, logistics and prefabrication played a crucial role. The high prefabrication level in the European production facilities of the HASSLACHER group enabled:
• Optimized transport processes in ISO containers
• Significantly reduced on-site assembly times
• Consistently high, factory-controlled component quality
Timber construction for airports: engineered wood in infrastructure
The Cibao International Airport project demonstrates that engineered timber construction meets the highest requirements in infrastructure projects. Glulam and cross-laminated timber enable large-scale roof structures with complex geometries, long spans, and visible architectural quality – while also offering a renewable, carbon-storing construction method.
| Project information | |
|---|---|
| Location: | Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic |
| Customer: | Cibao International Airport |
| Architect or planner: | Luis Vidal + Architects |
| Design and construction: | HESS TIMBER GmbH |
| Builder: | Aeropuerto Internacional del Cibao, S.A |
| Used wooden products: | 1,750 m³ of glued laminated timber and 23,000 m² of cross-laminated timber |
| HNT Sites: | HESS TIMBER GmbH, Kleinheubach NORITEC TIMBER GmbH, Stall im Mölltal HASSLACHER Holzbauteile GmbH & Co. KG, Kleinheubach |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who built the timber structure at Cibao International Airport? HESS TIMBER, based in Kleinheubach (Germany) and part of the HASSLACHER group, was responsible for engineering, production, delivery, and assembly.
How large is the timber roof of the new terminal? The roof area comprises approximately 23,000 m² of CLT elements. Around 1,750 m³ of glulam were used for the structure; the longest beams reach 45 m with spans of approx. 25 m.
How were the 45 m long beams transported to the Dominican Republic? Using the patented HESS LIMITLESS scarf joint system: beams are segmented in the factory, shipped in ISO standard containers, and assembled on site with full structural capacity and without steel components.
Why is timber used for airport terminals? Glulam and CLT enable large spans, free geometries, and high prefabrication with short construction times. At the same time, timber stores carbon and creates a warm, visible architectural quality.
