Seven Years of the Baden-Württemberg Timber Innovation Programme

During the opening of the ceremonial event on Wednesday, October 8th, 2025, Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann stated:
“The Timber Construction Offensive BW represents a milestone in our climate strategy and is establishing Baden-Württemberg as a model region for sustainable construction.”

Peter Hauk, Minister for Food, Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection, added:
“Timber construction is a powerful driver of innovation for a sustainable and future-oriented building culture. Our wood benefits the climate and serves the well-being of our citizens.”

Around 40 per cent of all CO₂ emissions are generated during the construction and use of buildings. The utilisation of renewable raw materials — particularly timber — therefore represents a decisive lever in achieving the state’s climate, economic and social policy objectives. Although one of humanity’s oldest materials, timber today also stands as a high-tech building material for the future. Against this backdrop, the Land Government launched the Timber Construction Offensive Baden-Württemberg in 2018 to actively accelerate the transformation of the construction sector. For seven years, it has provided vital impetus for climate-friendly construction in Baden-Württemberg and has set a strong example well beyond the state’s borders.

Six ministries are working in close, cross-departmental and interdisciplinary cooperation — under the leadership of the Ministry of Food, Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection — to firmly establish a climate-friendly building culture based on timber across the state.

The state strategy Timber Construction Offensive BW has proven to be an unequivocal success. By supporting innovative timber construction projects, Baden-Württemberg has significantly enhanced both the economic viability and the quality of timber buildings, while making a substantial contribution to climate protection — a commitment that will be further strengthened in the years ahead. Building with timber is one of the most efficient carbon storage technologies currently available. Promoting this sustainable method of construction and utilising regionally sourced, renewable timber are key pillars of a resilient and climate-conscious building culture.

To date, 100 flagship projects have been selected and supported through the Timber Innovation Programme (HIP). In cooperation with the Baden-Württemberg Chambers of Architects and Engineers, a joint educational platform has been established. Furthermore, six professorships at multiple universities across the state are strengthening academic training in timber construction and systematically expanding regional expertise.

Notable projects realised under the HIP include Germany’s first timber high-rise building in Heilbronn, as well as the SWG production hall in Waldenburg, featuring the world’s largest roof structure made of beech wood. The Franklin Village project in Mannheim, one of the most significant multi-storey residential timber developments in the state, has recently been awarded the German Architecture Prize 2025. These landmark projects clearly demonstrate that timber is an adaptable, high-performance and sustainable construction material, suitable not only for commercial and residential buildings, but also for demanding infrastructures such as fire stations, hospitals and laboratories.

The timber used in construction is sourced from Baden-Württemberg’s sustainably managed forests and produced in accordance with the highest environmental and quality standards.
“Our forests do not only provide us with oxygen and tranquillity; they also supply the material with which we can shape a climate-friendly built environment. For this reason, building with timber stands for responsible, forward-looking construction and living — and we remain firmly committed to continuing our pioneering role in this field,” said Minister-President Kretschmann.

Baden-Württemberg’s forests are managed on the basis of long-term, carefully balanced and ecologically responsible forestry plans. Almost 90 per cent of the harvested timber remains within the region and is processed through local value chains. This represents a substantial advantage over many conventional construction materials. Through proactive forest conversion and adaptation to future climatic conditions, forest management and timber utilisation go hand in hand, ensuring a reliable and sustainable supply of wood for generations to come.

For more than 15 years, the Ministry of Food, Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection has therefore been actively supporting the Forestry and Timber Cluster, with the objective of strengthening a sustainable, innovative and competitive forestry and timber sector within the state. This creates future-oriented employment through sustainable growth while enhancing regional resilience and independence.

“We are proud of the progress achieved over the past seven years, and we remain fully committed to the continued support of timber construction projects. The Timber Construction Offensive BW is a cornerstone of our path towards a sustainable and climate-friendly building culture. The State Government is determined to fully unlock and harness this potential as a central element of our forestry, economic and climate policy,” concluded Minister Hauk.