Building with the future in mind: the challenge behind the timber structures of EXPO 2027 Belgrade

World Expos are among the most complex projects to deliver. Within just a few years, it is necessary to design and construct infrastructure capable of welcoming millions of visitors from around the world. It is not uncommon for some buildings to find a second life after an Expo has closed: structures originally built as pavilions can be transformed into restaurants, cultural venues or public spaces open to the city.

In the case of EXPO 2027 Belgrade, the vision goes even further. Some structures will not simply be repurposed but will also be capable of being dismantled and relocated to a new context. This is made possible by the choice of timber as the primary building material, the use of prefabricated panels, and connections specifically designed to enable rapid assembly as well as orderly disassembly aimed at reuse.

An international-scale project

The specialised EXPO, which will be hosted by the Serbian capital in 2027, involves the construction from scratch of numerous buildings and pavilions intended to accommodate exhibitions, events and activities related to the exposition. Alongside these temporary structures, the project also includes permanent developments designed to remain in use over time, including 1,500 apartments, a swimming pool, a golf course, a river port and the national football stadium.

Part of these structures will be built in timber, specifically CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) and GLT (Glue-Laminated Timber), materials that combine construction speed, high levels of prefabrication and more efficient lifecycle management. In a development of this scale, the challenge extends beyond the construction of the buildings themselves and includes coordinating an international supply chain composed of designers, specialist companies and installation teams operating across different countries. The effective management of expertise, supplies and site operations therefore becomes a decisive factor in the success of the entire project.

When technical support becomes part of the project

On major construction projects, supplying products is only one part of the process. The effectiveness of a solution also depends on the ability of suppliers to support designers and contractors throughout the different stages of project development.

For the timber structures of EXPO 2027, Rothoblaas worked alongside the various stakeholders involved both during the design phase and throughout construction, providing its technical expertise for the development of construction details and the correct application of systems on site. Its direct local presence enabled continuous dialogue with the professionals involved, complemented by training activities dedicated to the installation teams before construction began. In projects characterised by demanding schedules and many stakeholders, the availability of ongoing technical support helps reduce operational issues and optimise installation activities.

Also, the collaboration within different countries and Rothoblaas employees involved in early stage helped supported the project to succeed. Again, the worldwide presence of Rothoblaas shows an advantage to our clients and international projects.

Design for Disassembly: designing the second life of buildings

One of the most interesting aspects of the project is its adoption of Design for Disassembly (DfD). According to this approach, buildings are designed from the outset by considering not only the assembly phase but also future disassembly. Components, connections and construction details are therefore developed to allow different elements to be separated without compromising their potential for reuse.

For many of the structures planned for EXPO 2027, this means the buildings can be dismantled at the end of the event and subsequently relocated and reused. From this perspective, the value of the building does not end with the conclusion of the exposition but continues over time through a new function and a new location.

We explored this topic in greater depth in a previous blog article. Read it here: Design for Disassembly: A New Approach to Sustainability in Timber Construction

From theory to practice: connections designed for disassembly

When discussing DfD, the selection of connection systems becomes strategically important. For the EXPO 2027 project, Rothoblaas supplied approximately 9,000 ALUMEGA and LOCK T connectors, designed to provide high structural performance while supporting assembly and disassembly processes aligned with the principles of reuse.

In this context, ALUMEGA played a key role in translating the principles of Design for Disassembly into practical application. It is a concealed structural connection for timber elements that combines high mechanical performance, assembly tolerances and ease of disassembly. Unlike permanent connections, ALUMEGA enables components to be assembled and disassembled in a controlled manner, preserving their integrity and facilitating their reuse in future building life cycles. The connection also remains completely concealed within the timber elements, ensuring architectural continuity and high-quality execution.

Alongside ALUMEGA, the project includes the use of LOCK T MIDI, a concealed timber-to-timber connector particularly well suited to prefabricated applications. Thanks to its interlocking geometry, the system enables rapid installation and the controlled removal of elements, characteristics that are fully consistent with the principles of Design for Disassembly.

ALUMEGA and LOCK T MIDI are designed for complementary use: the former for primary structural connections, where higher structural performance is required, and the latter for secondary beams, helping simplify both assembly operations and future dismantling activities.

The (essential) role of fastening systems

The connection system is complemented by VGS structural screws, LBS carpentry screws in both their standard and LBSHEVO hardwood versions, and HBS PLATE screws, used for fastening the various connectors and steel-to-timber connections incorporated into the project.

Thanks to its fully threaded design and high mechanical performance, VGS contributes to load transfer and the stability of structural connections. LBS, used in timber fastening applications and with metal connectors, ensures installation accuracy and long-term reliability. HBS PLATE, characterised by a countersunk head specifically designed for coupling with steel plates, provides high shear and withdrawal resistance in steel-to-timber joints, making it particularly suitable for demanding structural applications.

In a project such as EXPO 2027, where prefabrication, rapid installation and the possibility of future disassembly are fundamental requirements, the selection of fastening systems also plays a decisive role in the efficiency, durability and reliability of the overall structural system.

Durability and Protection Throughout the Building Lifecycle

The protection and durability of the timber structures have also been supported using approximately 1,200 linear metres of ALU START, employed at the base connection to protect the timber from rising moisture. By creating an effective barrier, ALU START contributes to extending the service life of timber elements and preserving their performance over time. In addition, approximately 40,000 m² of DEFENCE ADHESIVE 200 were incorporated into the project to enhance the durability of timber panels and components during handling and transportation. This high-performance self-adhesive membrane is designed for sealing and protecting timber construction elements during transport and on-site activities, helping preserve their quality over time and maintain structural performance throughout the entire building lifecycle.

More than individual products, these components form part of a broader design strategy aimed at delivering efficient, durable and potentially reusable buildings.

Beyond the EXPO 2027

EXPO 2027 Belgrade offers an interesting opportunity to reflect on the evolution of the construction industry.

For many years, the success of a building was evaluated primarily according to its performance during the operational phase. Today, projects are increasingly assessed on their ability to adapt to change, reduce waste and preserve the value of materials over time.

The timber structures planned for the exposition represent a concrete example of this evolution. The issue is not simply the possibility of dismantling a building but the ability to plan its future transformations from the very beginning through construction solutions, connections and details that make the reuse of elements possible.

This approach also aligns closely with the theme chosen for EXPO 2027, Play for Humanity. In this context, play can be seen as a tool for imagining new possibilities, reinterpreting what already exists and moving beyond the constraints of conventional configurations. Applied to the built environment, this principle translates into designing buildings capable of evolving over time, adapting to new functions and responding to needs that have yet to be defined. From this perspective, Design for Disassembly does not view a building as a static object destined to exhaust its function, but rather as a collection of components that can be recovered, recombined and reused.

It is a vision that, in an industry increasingly challenged by new environmental, technological and social demands, is helping redefine how buildings are designed, constructed and managed throughout their entire lifecycle.