Vision for the old sawmill at Bern University of Applied Sciences
31. Okt 2023
The sawmill is history - what's next? The old sawmill at the Bern University of Applied Sciences has almost been forgotten, where courses became less frequent and were eventually discontinued altogether. Today, sawyers are trained and further educated directly in the modern sawmills. What will happen to the site of the old sawmill? We at Scrimber CSC have a visionary proposal that could seamlessly tie in with the unique idea of research and training at this location: the establishment of a scrimber research and competence center.
The foundation stone for the "Holzfachschule" Biel was laid in 1950 with a training sawmill. Today, the Bern University of Applied Sciences, the Department of Architecture, Wood and Construction, is more important than ever. The old sawmill has almost been forgotten, with courses becoming less frequent and eventually being discontinued altogether. Today, sawyers are trained and further educated directly in the modern sawmills. What will happen to the site of the old sawmill?
We at Scrimber CSC have a visionary proposal that could seamlessly tie in with the unique idea of research and training at this location: the establishment of a scrimber research and competence center. Here, new load-bearing components could be created from previously underused wood assortments by rolling, drying, gluing and pressing. Instead of the previous 30% yield for sawn products, scrimber technology enables an impressive 90% material utilization! An initial module for scrimber rolling technology has already been developed and installed in a research project together with AHB and TI. An expansion to a modular laboratory line, which provides groundbreaking findings on this innovative material, could find its future home here. This offers the opportunity to establish BFH-AHB in Biel as an international competence center for the machining-free production of wood-based materials.
Scrimber CSC looks forward with enthusiasm to this unique opportunity to revive and continue the pioneering spirit of the sawmill's founders in a modular laboratory line for scrimber research. We are convinced that this future-oriented technology would not only preserve the historical significance of the site, but also further strengthen the excellence in research and teaching at Bern University of Applied Sciences. We would very much welcome it if BFH were to consider our visionary proposal in the future design of the old sawmill site, thus establishing another vibrant center for pioneering research and development at BFH et.
You can find more information on the Alte Sägerei closing party event here Event BFH
For more information and insights into this exciting project, visit www.scrimber.com or contact us!
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