Winklhof Agricultural College, Oberalm | Austria
In Oberalm, a workshop building, a horse stable including a riding hall, a riding arena, and a horse walker were constructed. The new buildings for the traditional Winklhof Agricultural College were realized using 550 m³ of binderholz CLT BBS and 500 m² of binderholz 3-ply solid wood panels.
FACTS
Project New Construction of Agricultural College
Location Oberalm, Salzburg, Austria
Completion February 2025
Client Amt der Salzburger Landesregierung
Architecture PLOV Architekten ZT GmbH
Timber Construction HOLZFORM Holzbau GmbH
Structural Engineering Petz ZT
Material use 550 m³ binderholz CLT BBS, 500 m² binderholz 3-ply solid wood panels
The reconstruction of the workshops for wood, metal, and agricultural technology, along with the existing equestrian facilities, has led to a restructuring of the entire site. As a result, Winkl Castle takes center stage as the school's heart, while the new buildings are organized into northern and southern zones. This significantly contributes to further enhancing the quality of the teaching environment.
The workshops and equestrian facilities were built as single-story courtyards. Thanks to a uniform roof height and clear orientation, the buildings form a harmonious ensemble. The site is complemented by newly planted orchards and spacious outdoor areas for the animals. The stables are dimensioned and structured so that teaching, care, and daily routines integrate seamlessly. Centrally located faculty offices provide an optimal overview of all work areas. Technical and utility rooms are grouped at the center of the workshop wing.
Innovative Material Use and Construction
Tropical hardwoods, often standard in equestrian construction, were deliberately replaced with domestic alternatives to improve the environmental footprint and support regional availability. The hall's primary structure consists of glulam beams, which also serve as a defining design element of the riding arena. The stable and workshops are designed as timber skeleton structures using columns and glulam beams.
To utilize the natural aesthetics and regulating properties of wood, the entire construction remains visible both inside and out. By using binderholz CLT BBS, the project benefits from a solid construction method that combines sound insulation, fire safety, and natural moisture regulation. On the exterior walls of the workshop building, binderholz Decorative Micro CLT made of spruce with tongue and groove joint was also used. These provide ideal conditions for high-quality, lightweight processing and meet all aesthetic and technical requirements.
Wraparound eaves provide natural weather protection for the vertical components. Concrete was used only where technically indispensable, such as for floor slabs, storage areas, or plinths.
Great emphasis was placed on economical and ecological implementation. Simple, efficient building services meet ecological green roofs that regulate the microclimate. The use of solar energy via large-scale PV systems rounds off the eco-friendly energy concept. Elaborate cooling systems or complex building technology were intentionally avoided. The riding arena drainage is managed via an ebb-and-flow system with its own infiltration basin. Natural ventilation, pleasant room acoustics, and generous daylight openings create a spatial climate conducive to learning.
The project is an exemplary contribution to future-oriented educational buildings far beyond the agricultural context – fully in line with circular construction principles.
Photos: © EMILBLAU / Martin Geyer © binderholz
Plans: © PLOV Architekten ZT GmbH
