The second international event “Drivers for Wood Construction” took place from 15.-16.5.2023 in Joensuu, Finland. The theme of the conference was “Holistic Approach Towards Sustainable Wood Construction.” LADEN contributed to the success of the event with a presentation on the topic of virtual structures. The aspects of the digital twin and their advantages in the planning of timber structures were examined. The digital twin has a significant influence on the planning of timber structures. 3D models enable precise visualization. It promotes communication between all planning participants and optimizes the simulation of construction processes. A specific example of this innovative application is the so-called “stacking tower”. This parametrically designed tower was designed, manufactured and assembled entirely using augmented reality glasses.

The use of augmented reality enabled planners to visualize the tower in real time and model it in an immersive environment. This interactive design method helped to identify errors at an early stage and to plan the design exactly according to the specified parameters. The implementation of the stacking tower as an example in the context of the digital twin underlines the practical application of this technology. The combination of AR technology with parametric design not only demonstrates the new options for planning timber structures, but also highlights the potential for efficient manufacturing processes and precise assembly processes.