EXPO 2027 Belgrade: HASSLACHER group supplies modular timber exhibition halls

 For the modular exhibition halls of EXPO 2027 in Belgrade, the HASSLACHER group is supplying around 13,300 m³ of engineered timber products: block-bonded composite components, glulam, cross-laminated timber (CLT) and 15,000 m² of prefabricated, pre-insulated HASSLACHER CLT Box. All components of the timber load-bearing structure come from a single source, manufactured at four HASSLACHER group sites in Austria and Germany. It is the largest project in the company's history to date.

EXPO 2027 in Belgrade (Serbia) will be the first international EXPO to take place in the Western Balkans. With the theme: “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All.” the Serbian capital will become an international meeting place for ideas, innovations and cultural exchange from May 15th to August 15th ,2027. More than 140 nations and approximately six million visitors are expected. A temporary city within the city is being created on the Expo site, with an impact is intended to extend far beyond the duration of the exhibition.

Key facts at a glance:

• Project: EXPO 2027 Belgrade, modular exhibition halls in zones B and E
• Location: Surčin, Belgrade, Serbia
• Client / investor: Republic of Serbia, represented by the Ministry of Finance
• Master plan / architecture: Fenwick Iribarren Architects (FIA) / Danilo Dangubić Architects (DADA)
• General contractor: Građevinska direkcija Srbije
• Customer of the HASSLACHER group: Power Construction Corporation of China
• Timber construction products: around 13,300 m³ of engineered timber products from the HASSLACHER group in total
• Supplier of the timber load-bearing structure: HASSLACHER group, everything from a single source
• Block-bonded composite components: 1,183 m³ of columns, beams and bracing elements with component lengths ranging from 8 to 17 m
• HASSLACHER CLT Box: 15,000 m² of prefabricated and pre-insulated HASSLACHER CLT Box, requiring around 4,500 m³ of cross-laminated timber (CLT)
• Glulam: 7,500 m³ from Sachsenburg as well as around 150 m³ of prefabricated glulam façade elements
• Production sites: Hermagor (HASSLACHER Holzbausysteme GmbH), Kleinheubach (HASSLACHER Holzbauteile GmbH & Co. KG) for the block-glued composite components, Stall im Mölltal (NORITEC Holzindustrie GmbH) for HASSLACHER CLT Box and cross-laminated timber (CLT), and Sachsenburg (NORITEC Holzindustrie GmbH) for glulam.
• Logistics: 332 truckloads, including 256 oversized loads
• Special feature of the construction concept: planning for the eventual reuse of the modular EXPO components for three schools, four kindergartens and 18 sports halls in Serbia; the aim is 100% reuse of the structural component.

A central element of this major project is the modular hall concept, which has been designed for reuse from the outset. The components of the EXPO pavilions and exhibition halls will be reused for three schools, four kindergartens and 18 sports halls throughout Serbia. In this way, EXPO 2027 is setting new standards for sustainable planning and consistent reuse: for the first time, all structural elements of an international exhibition of this kind are intended to be fully reused. Timber stores carbon throughout its entire service life, including during the second or subsequent use cycle of the components.

The role of the HASSLACHER group at EXPO Belgrade

For the modular halls in zones B and E, the HASSLACHER group is supplying a total of 13,300 m³ of engineered timber products, combining the expertise and production capacity of several sites. From block-bonded composite components and glulam to cross-laminated timber (CLT) and the highly prefabricated and pre-insulated HASSLACHER CLT Box, essential components of the timber load-bearing structure are developed, manufactured, quality-inspected and delivered within the HASSLACHER group.

• Block-bonded composite components from Hermagor and Kleinheubach

  1,183 m³ of block-bonded composite components in the form of columns, beams and bracing elements were manufactured at HASSLACHER group sites in Hermagor (HASSLACHER Holzbausysteme GmbH) and Kleinheubach (HASSLACHER Holzbauteile GmbH & Co. KG). With component lengths ranging from 8 to 17 m, precisely manufactured structural elements were produced there to meet the requirements of modular hall construction. The fact that two sites in Austria and Germany are producing in parallel for one project demonstrates the manufacturing capabilities, capacity and redundancy of the HASSLACHER group in engineered timber construction.
  
  

• HASSLACHER CLT Box from Stall im Mölltal

  At the Stall im Mölltal site (NORITEC Holzindustrie GmbH), 15,000 m² of HASSLACHER CLT Box including insulation were also produced, along with the approximately 4,500 m³ of cross-laminated timber (CLT) required for them. The elements leave the plant pre-insulated and ready for installation. This eliminates entire construction steps on the project site in Belgrade that would only be carried out on site in conventional hall construction. The high degree of prefabrication reduces the potential for errors, installation time and costs at the jobsite.

• Glulam from Sachsenburg and prefabricated façade elements

  The glulam used for this purpose, with a volume of 7,500 m³, comes from the HASSLACHER group site in Sachsenburg (NORITEC Holzindustrie GmbH). Around 150 m³ of glulam façade elements also came from Mölltal. These were prefabricated and fitted with a glass facade in Belgrade.

“EXPO 2027 in Belgrade is the largest project in the history of the HASSLACHER group to date and impressive evidence of our combined strength and the close cooperation between our plants. With innovative products such as block-bonded glulam composite components and the resource-efficient, insulated HASSLACHER CLT Box, we supplied key services for this major project from a single source, with a degree of prefabrication that goes far beyond standard CNC processing. Behind this is the know-how of all locations, combined with the expertise of the Quality & Innovation department.” DI Georg Jeitler, Head of Quality & Innovation

What is the HASSLACHER CLT Box?

The HASSLACHER CLT Box is a material-efficient hollow box element in which flanges made of cross-laminated timber (CLT) are combined with load-bearing chords made of glulam. The components are bonded and pressed in a single operation using high-frequency and hydraulic pressure, meaning that no additional bonding step is required. The rigid shear connection, instead of a flexible screw connection, makes it possible to achieve high stiffness and load capacities while maintaining a resource-efficient and therefore cost-efficient design. Depending on the requirements, board layers with gaps or wood-based panels can also be used for the flanges.

What are composite components or block bonding?

Composite components or block bonding are created by bonding several glulam components over their surfaces to form large-scale, highly load-bearing structural elements. They enable cross-sections and load capacities that could not be achieved with a single glulam beam, making them suitable for columns, beams and bracing in demanding engineered timber structures. The HASSLACHER group manufactures block-bonded composite components at the Hermagor and Kleinheubach sites, with component lengths of 8 to 17 m for EXPO 2027 Belgrade.

Prefabrication in timber construction: far more than standard CNC processing

The combination of block-bonded composite components and highly prefabricated timber construction elements or timber construction systems enables a highly flexible, quick-to-install and fully demountable system. Columns, beams, bracing, insulated floor and roof elements as well as façade elements are manufactured under controlled factory conditions, quality-inspected and delivered just in time to Belgrade. This allows the structure to meet key requirements of a project of this scale while also supporting the concept of subsequent reuse: what has been precisely assembled in the factory can later be dismantled just as precisely and rebuilt.

Logistics: 332 truckloads to Belgrade

The logistics are just as remarkable: the timber components are being delivered from the HASSLACHER group’s production sites in Austria and Germany to Belgrade in 332 truckloads, including 256 oversize loads. Project management, work preparation, production, quality control and transport planning are all brought together from a single source and coordinated with the progress of installation on site.

“A project of this scale can only be successfully implemented through close and reliable cooperation between everyone involved. From early coordination with project management, architects and structural engineers through to production, quality control and logistics, the interaction worked excellently. I would also particularly like to highlight the very good cooperation on the customer side with Građevinska direkcija Srbije, POWER CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION OF CHINA and Union Šped, as well as with numerous other logistics partners and hauliers from Serbia, Croatia and Hungary.” dip. ing. D.I. Sulejman Kazic, Sales Manager Eastern Europe

An urban laboratory for the future

While international large-scale exhibitions in the past sometimes left behind structures and buildings that were hardly used afterwards, EXPO 2027 Belgrade was developed from the outset with its long-term urban use in mind. The central question is how temporarily created infrastructure can continue to provide lasting added value after the exhibition has ended.

The HASSLACHER group is proud to contribute its expertise in modern timber construction to this forward-looking major project.

The HASSLACHER group: engineered timber construction from a single source

The HASSLACHER group is an Austrian family-owned company headquartered in Sachsenburg (Carinthia), founded in 1901, with around 2,000 employees at sites in Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Spain and Canada. Its value chain ranges from logs and sawn lumber to glulam, cross-laminated timber, block-bonded composite components, the HASSLACHER CLT Box and prefabricated timber construction systems. This vertically integrated production makes it possible to supply major projects such as EXPO 2027 Belgrade entirely from a single source: with its own raw materials, its own production at several sites, its own research and development, and continuous quality assurance.

FAQs on EXPO Belgrade and the timber construction products of the HASSLACHER group

What is EXPO 2027 Belgrade?

EXPO 2027 Belgrade is an international exhibition taking place from May 15th to August 15th, 2027 in Surčin near Belgrade (Serbia), the first to be held in the Western Balkans. Among other structures, large-scale modular halls are being built for the exhibition site, with engineered timber products used extensively in their construction. The structures combine modern timber construction technology with a high degree of factory prefabrication.

Who supplies the timber for the modular halls of EXPO 2027 Belgrade?

The HASSLACHER group from Austria supplied a total of around 13,300 m³ of engineered timber products for the modular halls in zones B and E of EXPO 2027 Belgrade: block-bonded composite components, glulam, cross-laminated timber (CLT) and 15,000 m² of prefabricated and pre-insulated HASSLACHER CLT Box. The customer is “Power Construction Corporation of China”, and the general contractor is “Građevinska direkcija Srbije”.

Why are modular timber halls being built for EXPO 2027 Belgrade?

The modular hall concept for EXPO 2027 Belgrade has been designed for reuse from the outset. After the exhibition ends, the components used in the buildings and pavilions are to be dismantled and reused for three schools, four kindergartens and 18 sports halls throughout Serbia. The aim is to reuse 100% of the entire structural component. Prefabricated timber components such as the HASSLACHER CLT Box and block-bonded composite components, combined with carefully designed connection details intended for this purpose, can be dismantled and rebuilt in a different context.

How much timber is being used for EXPO 2027 Belgrade?

For the modular halls in zones B and E of EXPO 2027 Belgrade, the HASSLACHER group is supplying a total of 13,300 m³ of engineered timber products. This includes 1,183 m³ of block-bonded composite components, around 4,500 m³ of cross-laminated timber for 15,000 m² of HASSLACHER CLT Box, 7,500 m³ of glulam and around 150 m³ of glulam facade elements.

What are block-bonded composite components and what advantages do they offer?

Block-bonded composite components are created by bonding several timber components to form large-scale, high-performance structural elements. They enable large cross-sections and high load capacities, making them particularly suitable for demanding engineered timber structures. At EXPO 2027 Belgrade, a total of 1,183 m³ of block-bonded composite components with component lengths ranging from 8 to 17 m are being used, manufactured in Hermagor and Kleinheubach.

What is the HASSLACHER CLT Box and how is it used in modular timber construction?

The HASSLACHER CLT Box is a prefabricated, box-shaped timber construction element based on cross-laminated timber, consisting of rigidly bonded flanges made of cross-laminated timber (CLT) and chords made of glulam. It is manufactured in a high-frequency press in a single operation, provided with the necessary CNC processing and, at the customer's request, can already be insulated at the factory or provided, for example, with a fill. For EXPO 2027 Belgrade, 15,000 m² of HASSLACHER CLT Box including insulation are being produced at the Stall im Mölltal site. The high degree of prefabrication reduces the work steps required at the jobsite and results in efficient, rapid and cost-effective installation.

What are the advantages of a high degree of prefabrication in timber construction?

A high degree of prefabrication enables precise production under controlled conditions while reducing the amount of work required on the construction site. Components can already be processed, preassembled or equipped with additional functions such as surface finishes at the factory. Especially for major projects such as EXPO 2027 Belgrade, this facilitates planning, quality assurance, logistics and installation.

What advantages does timber offer for large hall and load-bearing structures?

Engineered timber construction enables high-performance load-bearing structures with large spans and a high degree of prefabrication. Components can be designed specifically for the project, manufactured industrially and subsequently transported efficiently to the construction site and installed. Timber also stores carbon throughout its entire service life and can be dismantled at the end of its use and reused for further timber construction projects.