In 2019, the 4-star hotel in Treffen on Lake Ossiach in Austria was extended, upgraded, and given a modern facelift. When joining timber and metal, the contractors put their faith in SHERPA connectors. Upgrading a hotel while keeping it open for business – words that would generally set alarm bells ringing for construction companies, architects and everyone else concerned. But in the case of the eduCARE hotel in Treffen on Lake Ossiach, the routine, many years of experience, and all the parties' enduring desire for innovation and passion for timber construction played to the strengths of the builders. Franz Roth as lead contractor, the architects Ronacher and the structural engineer Robert Bader, were responsible for ensuring that eduCARE was completed on schedule following an intensive planning phase and meticulous implementation. "Delivering different sections of the building where construction work was taking place simultaneously was also a particular challenge," says Franz Roth.
The construction project as a whole was highly complex. Both the restaurant and the kitchen had to be extended, an the wellness area upgraded, and a third new accommodation wing created," continues the architect Ronacher.



Connected to timber construction
When connecting the timber components, they also relied on SHERPA timber connectors: "Our company greatly values tradition as much as innovation – for me, SHERPA products are the perfect blend of these values," says Roth. During the implementation, the SHERPA connectors were partly pre-assem-bled in the factory, or installed on site using templates. "Both variants worked perfectly," explains Roth passionately. L-series connectors were used in the connecting corridor in the form of a sine wave, and in the façade with its timber slats construction. 

Partner for heavy loads 
The connectors are partially visible, and can bear loads of between 1,200 and 2,000 kg, taking into account all the safety parameters. "SHERPA is proud to be part of this innovative timber construction project. It was the perfect opportunity for our whole team to prove the great efficiency and performance of our SHERPA system across the planning and delivery phases," explains Vinzenz Harrer, Managing Director of SHERPA, with pride. The benefit of SHERPA products for this project came in the shape of systems thinking.


Nature: outside and in

This systems thinking is embedded in the connectors themselves – in the form of an operating principle that covers the entire spectrum of services. This also includes a high-quality system screw with a zinc-nickel plating for service class 2 according to EuroCode 5. Systems thinking is embodied cross
every phase of a project – from advice and supporting dimensioning through to delivery – benefiting customers in terms of security and transparency. 

Closely connected 
Right from the initial design concept by the architects Ronacher, the creation of a connecting gesture for all four buildings - a passageway in the form of a sine wave from the conference area to the new accommodation wing to the east - was central. This connection was evident throughout the entire project, and ensured the satisfaction of the clients and their guests. And they can all rest assured that the decision for timber as a construction material is a decision for the future


SHERPA timber connectors were used across the entire facade construction. A total of 180 pairs of SHERPA L30 and L50 connectors with 8 x 100 mm zinc and nickel-plated special screws were used.