World of Volvo - a symbol of the future of sustainable construction, but also a tribute to the Scandinavian landscape and its people

This material consists of several precisely cut layers of wood that are glued together using a special structural adhesive. In addition, WIEHAG precisely calculated the steel connections between the wooden elements. Given the complex architecture of this wooden structure, an exceptionally high level of precision was required. WIEHAG uses bocad construction software for the detailed 3D design and execution planning of the timber and steel elements, including machine control and BIM data exchange. Computer-aided production at WIEHAG enabled the curved elements to be cut and prefabricated with absolute precision.

The challenges of the Volvo World project:

- reducing visible steel connections to a minimum (in line with the architect's requirements);

- ordering materials before the design model was completed;

- creating the model based on the assembly sequence of the construction phases;

- ordering the correct quantities of materials while ensuring that the position numbers are identical for each construction phase and sub-system was also challenging.

- manage large volumes of data due to the large number of connection elements.

Useful bocad features, modules and interfaces for implementation:

- IFC export for coordinating the model within BIM with other trades/architects (Sweden);

- seamless integration of model changes into drawings for fabrication and assembly;

- creation of ETZs (element assembly drawings), including fixings and fasteners, as grouped construction drawings;

- construction drawings provide an overall plan of work planning (validation planning) for a given area of the building;

The colours are assigned as follows:

Red: concrete/reinforced concrete (in timber construction, only as a reference for connections).

Brown = glue beams

Blue: steel elements (diagonal bars are bracing/stiffening elements).

Yellow: wooden panels (e.g. staircases made of CLT panels or reinforcement panels at beam openings, which are probably made of BFU/beech panels).

Image credits: WIEHAG, photographer James Silverman.