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Wangen Tower
放眼望去，德國阿爾高地區西部鬱鬱蔥蔥的自然風光，燦爛的陽光照耀著這座舊城鎮。在這視野遼闊的草原中，一座塔樓獨自昂首佇立，宛若高聳樹木向天空伸展茁壯，成為當地標誌性的存在。即使萬根塔地身形巨大，仍透過流暢曲線和諧地融入地景之中，模糊了人造建物和自然生態的界線，以首座使用自成型結構木材組件建造而成的多層建築之姿，於 2024 德國州園藝博覽會見證了再生材料的創新使用與潛在可能性，演繹傳統木建材和現代設計語彙的交織融合。
Looking out over the lush, verdant landscapes of western Allgäu in Germany, sunlight bathes this historic town in a warm glow. In the expansive meadow, a solitary tower stands tall, resembling a tree stretching gracefully toward the sky. The Wangen Tower, with its monumental presence, has become an iconic landmark of the region. Despite its imposing height, the tower harmoniously integrates into its surroundings with smooth, flowing curves, blurring the boundaries between man-made structures and the natural ecosystem. As the first multi-level structure built using self-shaped, structural timber components, it takes center stage at the 2024 Landesgartenschau in Germany, showcasing the innovative potential of renewable materials and weaving traditional timber construction with contemporary architectural expression.
這座高達 23 公尺的萬根塔坐落於風景秀麗的保護區內，四周環繞著延綿起伏的山丘，於是斯圖加特大學 ICD 和 ITKE 研究所謹慎拿捏建築與當地環境的關係平衡，並從當地採購杉木製作交叉層壓木材（CLT）組件，通常水分對木構而言並不受歡迎，卻因受到雲杉球果鱗片形狀對環境濕度變化產生的反應所啟發，其相似原理可應用於控制彎曲的木材組件自成型，從而打造 12 道厚度僅 130 毫米的彎曲木板拼接成螺旋結構，讓高塔本身與風共存，與光影共舞，以婀娜多姿的體態溫柔地回應這片自然景緻。
Rising 23 meters above the scenic conservation area, the Wangen Tower is surrounded by gently rolling hills. Designed with meticulous consideration of its relationship to the environment, the tower was developed by the ICD and ITKE research institutes at the University of Stuttgart. Locally sourced spruce was used to create cross-laminated timber (CLT) components, a material traditionally sensitive to moisture. Drawing inspiration from the natural behavior of spruce cones, which adjust their scales in response to changing humidity, the team applied similar principles to control the self-shaping of curved timber components. This approach produced 12 curved timber segments, each just 130 millimeters thick, which were assembled into a spiraled structure. The tower interacts with the wind and dances with light and shadow, offering a graceful and responsive dialogue with its natural surroundings.
當人們來到塔樓下方，可看見三道錐形開口優雅地迎接遊客入內探索。踏上113 層階梯可通往塔的頂層，過程中可觀察到各個結構部件之間沿著中央脊柱精細地分布，最終抵達向藍天敞開景觀台，將阿爾高山谷和鄰近的河流風光盡收眼底，同時遠眺歷史悠久的萬根以及阿爾卑斯山群峰。
At the base, three tapered openings elegantly invite visitors into the structure for exploration. Ascending 113 steps to the viewing platform at the top, visitors can observe the intricate distribution of structural components along the central spine. The climb culminates in a panoramic platform open to the sky, providing breathtaking views of the Argen Valley, nearby rivers, and the historic town of Wangen, with the Alps visible in the distance.
為應對全球氣候變遷，愈來愈多建築師與相關領域學者開始傾向使用低碳的建築材料，並尋求可行的減碳方案，利用 CLT 板的曲率來實現資源高效、形狀優雅的木結構，運用材料計算設計和精確的數位化預製，很難想像如此壯觀挺拔的萬根塔量體，經一絲不苟的預製程序，實地施作僅於短短三天內就能成型。其結構上的創新，一方面反映出斯圖加特大學 ICD 和 ITKE 研究所對於木材工藝、再生材應用與數位預製技術的專業整合，其次透過當代建築語彙提升傳統木造結構，讓參觀者共同見證現代科技與自然生態的對話。
In response to global climate challenges, architects and researchers are increasingly turning to low-carbon building materials and exploring feasible solutions for carbon reduction. By leveraging the natural curvature of CLT panels, the tower achieves an efficient and aesthetically refined timber structure. This was made possible through material-informed computational design and precise digital prefabrication. Remarkably, this towering structure, with its striking silhouette, was meticulously preassembled and erected on-site in just three days. The Wangen Tower stands as a testament to the expert integration of woodcraft, renewable materials, and cutting-edge digital prefabrication techniques pioneered by the ICD and ITKE institutes. It elevates traditional timber construction into the realm of contemporary architectural dialogue, creating a profound interplay between modern technology and ecological harmony for visitors to experience and admire.
