Brettstapel is a method of construction that exclusively uses wood, with no need for nails, glue or other materials.
The key components of this construction technique are dowels. They can be used perpendicular (at 90 degrees) to the wooden planks, or diagonally to fix them all together and make them into a solid, load bearing block.
Constructing buildings using this method is extremely environmentally friendly as the timber can absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
It’s also cheaper to keep Brettstapel buildings warm as the timber panelling is naturally more effective than brick, concrete or metal.
Brettstapel originated in Germany and is mainly used in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Norway. It is just starting to be used in the UK.
