Start-up founder Stefan Pillwein during assembly.

A start-up from Hallein is revolutionising the possibilities of timber construction and creating round shapes from square timber.

The start-up company ‘Beyond Bending’ was founded in Hallein in January 2024 with the aim of revolutionising the world of free-form structures. The young company aims to realise individual timber constructions with the FlexGrid clamping system in a wide range of applications, from architecture to trade fair construction, design, art, culture, gastronomy, events and agriculture. ‘Previously seemingly impossible shapes are now easy to realise. Our intelligent clamping system combines innovation and simplicity,’ explains Stefan Pillwein, one of the two start-up founders. In cooperation with the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences and the Vienna University of Technology, the Tennengau-based start-up was able to realise its innovative, clampable wooden lattice shells. As a pioneer at leading international trade fairs, the patented technology is proving very popular thanks to the new wealth of shapes it offers. The entire development, the extensive expertise and all materials come 100% from Austria.

With the FlexGrid system, slats are connected at the junctions while lying two-dimensionally on the floor and then stretched into the desired three-dimensional final shape and fixed in place within a few minutes. Compared to conventional solutions, the system is characterised by its simple assembly process, which minimises time and effort. Rudolf Rosenstatter, Chairman of proHolz Salzburg, was also impressed: ‘It's always great to see when new ideas are developed and ready for the market. The FlexGrid system gives the material wood a new option for use. It shows once again how versatile the raw material is and what economic benefits it can bring.’ The two founders Stefan Pillwein and Lukas Zeilbauer provide a wide range of services in collaboration with their partner network: ‘We offer customised kit solutions, innovative supporting structures and complete product developments through to series production. In this way, we want to make our contribution to the future of timber construction.’

Holzcluster Salzburg supported the start-up in building a network and established contacts in the local timber industry and the business world of Salzburg timber construction. ‘The special nature of the project and its innovative character impressed us on first contact. We were able to suggest potential project partners thanks to our impetus and connections in the local industry. The FlexGrid research project developed and a first prototype was realised using wood from a Salzburg sawmill,’ explains project manager Katharina Springl.

Source: sn.at