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Producer of natural products relies on eco-friendly building material wood

New company headquarters combines different wood construction methods
For TREIBholz GmbH – “Organic and natural products since 1978,” which manufactures and distributes natural cosmetics and food from certified organic farming, a new warehouse and production facility was designed and built by the Berlin-based architectural office Creutzfeldt in Korschenbroich, North Rhine-Westphalia. In line with the company philosophy, the new facility was implemented using modern timber architecture with FH Holzbau GmbH & Co. KG, adhering to ecological and sustainable principles.
 
The double-aisle hall building, covering a total area of 570 m², consists of a single-story rack storage hall and a two-story section with rooms for various uses. It is divided into a zone for labeling and packaging, and another area with offices, staff, and meeting rooms. The first floor is accessed by two staircases inside the building. Additionally, it can be stocked with pallet goods from the storage hall via a mezzanine.  
 
Versatile timber construction
The advantages of timber construction were utilized on multiple levels in this project. Firstly, the manufacturing process: The complete timber structure was modeled and constructed by FH Finnholz Holzbaustatik GmbH & Co. KG in a 3D model, including all connection elements such as full-thread screws, bolts, and steel parts. This minimized errors and significantly reduced assembly times. The assembly of the entire timber structure took just three weeks. This method also ensured that the initially calculated budget for the project was maintained.
 
Different building typologies – hall and multi-story construction – were implemented using various timber construction techniques. The project incorporates post-and-beam construction, cross-laminated timber ceilings, and timber frame construction. The structure was left exposed in several areas, allowing the building's details and framework to be visible. The facade, with its horizontal larch siding and larch wood windows, also emphasizes the timber construction and the use of sustainable materials.
 
Fire protection
All load-bearing and bracing wooden components were designed to meet fire protection requirements. The structural design in case of fire, assemblies according to DIN 4102, and tested structures were used. The insulation and cladding of the outer walls and roof were made from normally flammable materials (wood and cellulose insulation). Inside the building, individual units are separated by fire-resistant partitions. The single-story warehouse is separated from the two-story building section by a fire-resistant wall, while the workspace in the two-story section is separated from the office area by another fire-resistant wall. The roof of the two-story building section is also fire-protected from both above and below, due to the skylight in the storage hall.
 
Production hall with office wing
The two-story packaging hall offers about 500 m² of usable space and is built entirely in timber frame construction. Standardized cross-sections and common panel sizes with a 62.5 cm grid ensured a high level of prefabrication and precise production of the wall elements at FH Finnholz's factory. The economical and highly flexible timber frame construction can be adapted to different usage requirements and individual client needs, while also allowing for quick and straightforward assembly on site.  
 
The packaging and office areas were designed differently inside. In the work areas for packaging and labeling, OSB/4 panels on the walls and the stiffening cross-laminated timber ceiling were left visible, while the office areas are covered with gypsum fiberboard and painted white. A fire-resistant partition between the two areas serves both fire protection and the structural concept.  The bright walls and floors, combined with large, north-facing windows, provide optimal, glare-free lighting for the workspaces.   
 
The roof of the two-story section consists of cellulose-filled roof elements that form a diaphragm, directing horizontal wind loads into the walls. A 30 mm thick, ventilated sandwich panel was installed as the roof covering on the 6° sloping shed roof. Despite the low roof pitch, the underlying wood fiberboard serves as a sub-roof.  
 
Rack warehouse for organic and natural products 
The 245 m² warehouse, designed for pallet racks, towers over the two-story section and is naturally lit via a skylight with a north-facing orientation. The hall features a structural framework of posts, beams, purlins, and ties with a spacing of nearly 11 meters. Initially built as a cold storage hall, provisions have been made for future insulation of the roof and walls. In addition to using timber, which stores climate-relevant carbon dioxide gas, the client also relies on CO2-neutral operation of the new production facility. The hall operates without conventional energy sources. Heating is provided via geothermal energy, which is transferred into the building through the concrete floor slab. The brine heat pump, electrical building systems, and machines are powered by a 50 kWp solar system, which also generates a surplus of energy that is fed into the grid.

Detailed description of our timber hall

Whether post-and-beam construction, timber frame construction, or cross-laminated timber ceilings – this project in the Glehner Heide industrial area in Korschenbroich is a dream for wood construction enthusiasts. All the benefits of timber construction are fully utilized here.

The newly built warehouse and production facility of TREIBholz Bio and Naturwaren GmbH immediately catches the eye. The building envelope, with horizontal larch lap siding as cladding and larch wood windows, is particularly attractive.
TREIBholz GmbH produces certified natural cosmetics (fine soaps, organic shea and cocoa butter cosmetics) under its brands “FINigrana” and “Savon du Midi,” and organic food under the brand “BIOASE.” In line with its corporate philosophy, the new facility was built following eco-friendly and sustainable principles in modern timber architecture.

The two-aisle hall building, planned by the Creutzfeldt architectural office, covers about 570 m² and consists of a single-story rack storage hall and a two-story section with rooms for various uses. The two-story section is divided into a labeling and packaging area with an associated preparation and packaging space, and a section with offices, staff, and meeting rooms. The first floor of the two-story section is accessed by two internal staircases, and can also be stocked with pallet goods from the storage hall via a mezzanine. The two-story packaging hall with office wing offers approximately 500 m² of usable space and is entirely built in timber frame construction. A timber frame building consists of panel-like elements with load-bearing frames and stiffening sheathing. Standardized cross-sections and common panel sizes ensured a high level of prefabrication, as well as the precise production of wall elements at FH Finnholz's factory. The economical and highly flexible timber frame construction can be adapted to various usage requirements and client needs, while also allowing for quick and straightforward on-site assembly. The assembly of the entire timber structure took just five weeks. Although the areas of packaging and office form a single unit externally, they are designed differently inside. In the work areas for labeling and packaging, OSB panels remain visible on the walls. In contrast, in the office area, the walls, covered with gypsum fiberboard, are plastered and painted.
To separate the two usage units both visually and functionally, as well as to create distinct fire compartments, the areas are separated by an REI 30 partition wall, which is both load-bearing and fire-resistant. The integrated doors are also fire-resistant. A cross-laminated timber ceiling is installed between the ground floor and first floor of the office wing, resting on both the timber frame interior and exterior walls. The cross-laminated timber ceiling, both load-bearing and stiffening, is built to REI 30 standards and remains visible from below in the finished building. A 15 mm thick, white-lacquered OSB panel serves as the floor on top, while in areas with greater wear from pallet trucks, a cement-bonded particleboard is installed. The bright walls and floors, combined with large, north-facing windows, provide optimal, glare-free lighting for workspaces.
The roof of the two-story section consists of prefabricated roof elements filled with cellulose. These offer high summer heat protection and form a diaphragm, directing horizontal wind loads into the walls. A 30 mm thick, ventilated sandwich panel is installed as roofing on the 6° sloping shed roof.

High-bay warehouse for organic and natural products
The 245 m² warehouse towers over the two-story section, designed for pallet racks and naturally lit by a skylight facing north. Two sectional doors allow simultaneous loading and unloading of suppliers. The hall is built using post-and-beam construction and was initially designed as a cold storage hall.  Provisions have been made for future insulation of the roof and walls. The roofing of the high-bay warehouse consists of 120 mm sandwich panels, supported by longitudinal glued-laminated timber purlins. The purlins are connected to a transverse beam with Sherpa connectors and full-thread screws, transferring vertical loads through timber posts to the floor slab. Horizontal bracing is provided by a roof bracing system that transfers loads into the four wall braces. Load transfer to the ground is via an insulated steel-reinforced concrete slab and isolated foundations.

In addition to using timber, which stores climate-relevant carbon dioxide, the client also relies on CO²-neutral operation of the new production facility. The hall operates without fossil fuels. Heating is provided via geothermal energy, which is transferred into the building through the concrete floor slab. The brine heat pump, electrical building systems, and machinery are powered by a 50 kWp solar system, which also generates a surplus of energy fed into the grid.

The organic company’s project impresses entirely with its use of sustainable wood. Externally, the larch cladding stands out, while inside, the partially visible timber structure is highlighted.

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