Phase 1 of the Thoma Holz project
Wells Custom Framers was approached by Apex Projects LLC to act as the framing subcontractor on this unique build. We are actually installing prefabricated solid wood panels, approximately six and three quarter in thickness manufactured by Thoma Holz from Germany. The panels were shipped via cargo and brought to the jobsite in large top loading container boxes.
The project gets a standard engineered eye joist floor system, with three quarter subfloor, and then custom wood rails by Holz are installed and lasered to the correct height. The wood panels, which make up the entire exterior and interior load bearing walls are then lifted into place via a crane and screwed into place using a tongue and groove system. Once all the panels are set, we will then start to lift the pre manufactured ceiling and roof panels in place which will fit into the wall panels to create the roofline. All designed and engineered by Holz with local building architects and engineers providing some additional design and engineering to Massachusetts codes.
Once all the wall panels are in place, we will be providing an additional layer of roof via traditional framing methods for the mechanicals and insulation to be added. The walls will receive five inches of rigid insulation followed by siding, all to be installed by Wells Custom Framers.
We took on this project with Apex due to its unique nature, and to become more comfortable in panelized CLT construction, which this is very similar to. We believe we will be seeing projects very similar to this on a more frequent basis especially on larger commercial builds.