Office building, Wooden structures Faltheiner

Three generations, 50 years, valuable experience, and traditional materials - the members of the Faltheiner carpentry family in Kirchbach, Carinthia know their craft and excel at it.

The company Faltheiner Wooden Structures in Kirchbach has been in existence for 50 years: in 1965, the Ludwig Faltheiner Carpentry was established in Kötschach. In 1970, it moved to Kirchbach and later passed on to son Gerhard, who has been running the business for 18 years now. He is particularly proud of the production center opened in 2012, where affordable and high-quality structures are manufactured. Today, the company has 15 employees, and its range of activities spans from traditional carpentry to architecturally and structurally demanding constructions. The company operates just as it did before in the valley of the Gail River and its surrounding areas.

Quality and sustainable materials

Wood is experiencing a renaissance. The advantages of wooden constructions are, similar to the use of aluminum, a short construction time, a simple building system, careful use of raw materials, and a minimal carbon footprint. Therefore, wood and aluminum form a perfect team. "It is important for the future to create a strong awareness of the necessity to use quality sustainable materials," says Gerhard Faltheiner, who runs the family business. "Our range of activities is broad - this is one of our strengths, but it is also a challenge. One must be knowledgeable about everything."

The next generation

It has been clear for a long time that Florian and Christoph, the sons, will eventually take over the company. Florian studied Timber Construction Technology at the Higher Technical Institute in Hallein. "I have always enjoyed technical fields," says the owner's son. He often visits construction sites executed by the company with his brother. The roles are clearly divided: Florian is a specialist in CAD (Computer-Aided Design), while Christoph is responsible for work planning and the solution of structural connections. Father Gerhard is very proud of his offspring, as is mother Judith, who takes care of the accounting: "We run the business in a truly family-oriented manner and rely on the skills and loyalty of our collaborators."

Everyday work needs

The existing office space was no longer sufficient for the expansion of the company. The increasing number of clients, numerous consultations with architects and project partners, and the expansion of the planning department directly called for change. Based on the motto "a half-hearted solution is no solution", it was decided to construct a new office building. Its design was entrusted to the family heirs. "My brother and I thought a lot about it and let ourselves be inspired by the landscape. We quickly concluded that the building must have clean lines," reveals Florian. The new structure is located right at the entrance to the company’s property. The roof has no overhangs, which further emphasizes the linear character of the building. The appearance of the entrance and exhibition space is significantly influenced by large glass façades.

Wood, glass, and aluminum

Wood, glass, and aluminum have been successfully combined. According to the Faltheiners, the larch wood façade requires no additional design elements or decorations. The beautiful material is best presented in its natural and untreated form. At the recommendation of master roofer Ladstätter, the family opted for PREFA R.16 roofing panels. "For aesthetic reasons, as they complement the wood and glass well." The roof and façade are exposed to the elements like no other part of the house. Rain, snow, and intense sunlight are a tough test for all materials. However, the PREFA aluminum roofing panels are not harmed. "Larch is also ideal for outdoor use because it is an especially robust material," the experts know.

The new building was completed in just four months. "We are very happy with the new building," share the sons, proud of their modern project. The trend of the time is indeed for single-story and small-space buildings. "Our office building is perceived as a model building. Many people have already approached us who would like a similar structure for a residential home. We are currently working on such a project, and of course, we are considering the PREFA roof," Florian and Christoph look to the future with optimism.

Expert masterful work

The roofing and plumbing company of Klaus Ladstätter has been operating in Kirchbach since 2004. Ladstätter worked for a long time as a plumber and later obtained qualification as a master roofer. Therefore, he can offer a full range of professional skills, numerous experiences, and quality work. "It just happened naturally, it arose from customer demand. The customer wants everything from one company," says Ladstätter, who, with his five employees, has become a complete building contractor. While steep and flat roofs account for the majority of jobs in the area, outside of Carinthia, the business specializes in ventilated façades. Ladstätter can rely on good connections with architects and companies in his work. After his business moved onto the property of the Faltheiner company, both companies automatically began to cooperate, making Ladstätter's involvement in the construction of the new office building completely natural.

Weather resistance and maintenance-free

At the recommendation of the master roofer, the builders opted for PREFA products. A total of 160 m² of roof was covered with PREFA R.16 roofing panels. For Ladstätter, it was a premiere: "We adhered to the specifications of the assignment and it worked great. The roofing panels were laid from right to left in a half bond, meaning that the top row of panels was always horizontally offset by half compared to the bottom row. Snow hooks complete the regular appearance of the installation." The advantages of the PREFA roof are clear to experts: lightness, long lifespan, and a forty-year guarantee on the P.10 surface treatment and base material. This warranty covers possible damage caused by natural environmental influences such as breakage, cracking, rusting, or deformations of the panels due to frost. A bonus is the time-saving installation: the entire roof was completed by just two people in only two days. "The combination of wood and aluminum creates an interesting contrast that harmoniously blends into the surroundings," the professional is enthusiastic.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Project name: Faltheiner Wooden Structures
Country: Austria
Object, location: office building, Kirchbach
Type of construction: new building
Photography: Croce & WIR

Realization: Ladstätter GmbH, Kirchbach
Type of roof: PREFA roofing panel R.16
Roof color: P.10 anthracite
Type of façade: Prefalz
Façade color: P.10 anthracite