The E²volution concept wins first place in the E2 timber development competition
The E2 (Ecology and Economy) competition aims at developing a concept of industrially manufactured multi-storey residential buildings with wooden structural frame in order to increase the upgrading value of timber and to promote an urban structure compliant with sustainable development.
Finnforest participated in the competition in an international team led by Arup GmbH. Arup is one of the leading engineering and design consultancies in the world. The other members are HHS Planer und Architekten and the Institute for Energy Efficient Design of the Darmstadt University of Technology.
”Finnforest is very happy to participate in the development of eco- and cost-efficient wooden multi-storey buildings in Finland and Europe, and our international experience in delivering demanding wooden structures, and our world-class partners provide excellent resources for this," says Mika Kallio, head of Building Products, Finnforest. ”The E²volution concept by Team Arup is a development based on the Finnforest Multi-Storey System we introduced last autumn. Finnforest Multi-Storey System combines rapid construction and eco-efficiency with commercial competitiveness – they all are factors appreciated by real estate investors and construction companies."
The jury of the E2 competition also acknowledged that the clarity of the construction of the E²volution concept is a particular advantage. The structure is based on three basic elements. The system may be used for implementing multi-storey residential buildings of three to eight storeys, with high degree of flexibility and premium comfort of living.
The Finnforest Multi-Storey System consists of a beam beam and post frame and the roof and intermediate floor elements. The solid core of the system is Finnforest Kerto®, intended for very demanding loadbearing structures.
The City of Kouvola arranged the open, international invitation competition in cooperation with the Finnish Forest Industries Federation, the Finnish Forest Foundation, the Finnish Innovation Fund (Sitra), the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (Tekes), KSS Energia, the Regional Council of Kymenlaakso, the Association of Finnish Construction Engineers (RIL) and the Finnish Association of Architects (SAFA). The high-level competition was participated by 26 teams from 7 countries. The winners were announced in Kouvola on 15 March 2011.
The goal of the City of Kouvola is that a pilot site of about 15,000 floor square metres will be built on the shore of River Kymijoki on the basis of the winning concepts.
Further information on E2 competition and Team Arup
www.kouvola.fi/E2
www.finnforest.com
www.arup.com
www.hhs-architekten.de
http://www.ee.architektur.tu-darmstadt.de/ee/startseite/entwerfen_und_energieeffizientes_bauen.de.jsp
Eco-efficient Finnforest wood products to sustainable construction:
www.finnforest.com/responsibility
Esa Kosonen, Director, the Nordic countries and Russia, esa.kosonen@finnforest.com, tel. +358 50 598 9562
Johanna Kankkunen, Marketing Communications, johanna.kankkunen@finnforest.com, tel. +358 50 350 4005
Images on E²volution concept in Metsäliitto's image bank:
http://databank.metsaliitto.com/metsaliitto/finnforest.jsp?x=6068697&i=297916213011023097791962081533324116920422
Arup is well known around the world as an independent and interdisciplinary engineering and consulting company that supports and participates in developing new future-oriented concepts. The timber competence team at Arup GmbH in Berlin consists of experts from the areas of structural planning, construction physics, fire protection, façade planning and materials consulting.
Finnforest is a leading supplier of eco-efficient wood-based solutions. Its building and furnishing products are energy-efficient throughout their entire lifecycle and enhance the built environment and the quality of living. The products and supply chain are continuously developed in close cooperation with the construction industry, other industrial customers, and the retail sector.
Metsäliitto is a forest industry group with activities in 30 countries. Its products and services combine responsible forestry and innovative technology. Metsäliitto produces high-quality products from renewable Nordic wood in a sustainable way. The Group’s five business areas include Wood Supply, Wood Products Industry, Pulp, Board and Paper, and Tissue and Cooking Papers. Metsäliitto Group’s sales total EUR 5 billion, and it employs 14,000 people.