FAQ

Engineered timber construction uses structural timber products manufactured to precise specifications — rather than simply cutting raw wood into beams. The main systems we work with are KVH (a solid structural timber), BSH (glued laminated timber, also called glulam), and CLT (cross-laminated timber, where layers are bonded at right angles for added strength and rigidity).

These products are stronger and more dimensionally stable than green or untreated timber, and they allow engineers to specify exactly the structural performance required for each element of a building.

The on-site period is significantly shorter than traditional brick or concrete construction. For a standard single-family home, the assembly of the structural timber frame typically takes between 6 and 12 days, depending on the size and complexity of the building.

That said, the total project duration — from start to handover — includes site preparation, foundation work, fit-out, and finishing, all of which follow their own timescales. The main advantage of timber is that it compresses the structural phase meaningfully, reducing overall site time and the risks that come with extended construction periods.

Yes. Engineered timber is well-established in central European construction, including Austria and the wider DACH region. When properly detailed for moisture management and fitted with appropriate insulation and airtightness layers, timber-frame buildings perform well across a wide range of climatic conditions — including the temperature ranges and precipitation typical of Lower Austria.

We structure participation on a project-by-project basis. Before you commit to anything, we'll provide a project brief covering the site, the development concept, the timeline assumptions, and the proposed participation structure — so you know exactly what you're evaluating.

Participation is built around shared outcomes: costs are treated transparently, decisions are made at agreed milestones, and returns are distributed according to the agreed framework once the project is realised. We also participate in every project ourselves, which means our interests are aligned with yours throughout.

We work best with private individuals or smaller family offices who are comfortable with a direct, project-level relationship — and who value clear communication over complex structures. We're not currently set up for institutional fund structures or publicly regulated investment products.

Progress updates at key milestones, early notification of anything that affects timeline or cost, and the opportunity to visit the site during construction where that's practical. We don't bury information — if something changes, you'll hear about it promptly and with context.

If you own a site that fits our development criteria, we assess it at no cost to you. If it works, we develop a concept and a realistic delivery plan, and we present a partnership structure for your consideration. From there, we manage the full development — permitting coordination, procurement, construction, and handover.

The partnership can be structured in different ways depending on the site: profit sharing, unit allocation, or a combination. Where it's feasible, the land can remain in your ownership through the construction period, with Eco Holz Residence bearing the development costs under a contractual right to build.

Primarily residential-zoned land in Austria, particularly in and around the Vienna metropolitan area and Lower Austria. We look at plot sizes and configurations that can support one or more single-family homes or small multi-unit schemes. We also consider sites with rezoning potential on a case-by-case basis. If you're unsure whether your site fits, the easiest way to find out is to get in touch — we'll give you a straight answer.

Typically within a few working days of receiving the basic information: location, plot size, zoning designation, and any known constraints. We don't need lengthy documentation to give an initial read — a short conversation and a map reference is usually enough to tell us whether it's worth taking further.