When you're involved in building, you need functional and visually attractive solutions that are tailored to your needs. How do your standardised building components meet that requirement?
MAX WÖRNER: TRIQBRIQ is a micro-modular timber construction system using standardised components. This means that just three types of BRIQ are used to build walls: a full brick, a half brick and a lintel element. The system's simplicity boosts efficiency and reduces complexity on the construction site. At the same time, the size of the components allows for the kind of individual planning and customized façades common in traditional masonry. The key difference with BRIQs is that they're made from industrial, calamity and deconstructed waste wood, making them highly resource-efficient and fully dismantlable. Our product design is uncompromisingly circular, ensuring that individual building blocks can be reused in entirely new architectural contexts. While they are modular, they are not monotonous. Their standardisation actually encourages functional diversity and design freedom.
The demand for cost-effective construction has never been higher – what potential does your system offer?
MAX WÖRNER: The cost benefits of using TRIBRIQ result primarily from the quick, dry assembly process. There's no need for gluing, curing or drying, as the walls are simply slotted together and locked into place on the construction site. This makes it possible to work much more efficiently, even with fewer workers. Looking at the bigger picture, there are further benefits, such as lower foundation costs due to the low weight, no container costs thanks to waste-free delivery and hardly any waste thanks to digitalised planning. Overall, TRIQBRIQ can compete on cost with conventional construction methods and, with careful planning, can even be more cost-effective.
The construction industry has the reputation of being conservative. How has your system been received by contractors and planners?
MAX WÖRNER: Although we've been on the market for less than four years, we've already completed, or are working on, 15 shell constructions, ranging from modest bungalows to supermarkets. So, the industry is definitely receptive to innovations that are practical and effective. Planners and construction companies appreciate our system's simplicity, repeatability and clear geometry. The learning curve on the construction site is short, with few chances of error. We believe the speed with which we have gained a foothold in the market demonstrates the relevance of our approach.
You intend to decentralise production by using microfactories. Why?
MAX WÖRNER: Climate-friendly construction using wood is only really sustainable if the logistics are right. Ideally, the distance between the trees and the construction site should be no greater than 150 kilometres, and the number of processing steps should be kept to a minimum. This is not possible with centralised, large-scale production. Our solution is a fully automated, container-based production facility that is easy to set up. It can be installed at partner companies, such as sawmills or carpentry workshops, where the wood originates. This approach generates local economic value that can be scaled rapidly. The TRIQBRIQ microfactory is an industrial solution that embodies the principle of short distances to create an efficient, local solution for timber construction.