HIFO – Hybrid intermediate floor optimization for wood construction
PuuHyVä
HIFO project is part of a larger project entity. The project consortium consists of South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, University of Tampere, Karelia University of Applied Sciences and the Natural Resources Institute of Finland, each of these co-organizers participating with separate projects.
The aim of the project is to improve the design, cost and material efficiency of wood hybrid mezzanine floors for wooden buildings.
Objectives
The aim of the project is to improve the design, cost and material efficiency of wood hybrid mezzanine floors for wooden buildings.
The aim will be achieved by combining user satisfaction in timber buildings, field measurements of timber buildings, laboratory testing of suspended floor solutions and consideration of these sub-sets in the optimization of solutions and design development. One objective of the project is to provide research data on the differences between measured and calculated characteristic frequency values. The project will create a new type of sizing tool for designers, to facilitate and simplify the design of suspended floors.
The project will create a new type of sizing tool for designers
Actions
WP 1 Preparations, field measurements and surveys
WP 2 Development of measurement technology
WP 4 Test structure manufacturing and testing new solutions
WP 6 Workshops, reporting and communication
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News
Small-Scale Test Floors
Emilia Lahtinen completed a thesis on the small‑scale test floors constructed in autumn 2025: Comparison and optimization of wooden intermediate floors
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121134807
The test floors received their surface concrete layer on 13 January 2026. Natural frequency and deflection measurements will be carried out once four weeks have passed since the casting. At the moment, we are measuring structural deflection at the center point of the floor.
New article:
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF WOODEN INTERMEDIATE FLOORS: CONSTRUCTION PROCESS, LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS AND SIMULATION MODEL DEVELOPMENT
Fanny Malmstedt & Niko Kinnunen. 2025. Puuvälipohjien rakenteellinen analyysi: rakentamisprosessi, laboratoriomittaukset ja simulointimallin kehitys. Forest Bioeconomy, Materials, and the Environment. Applied Research and Product Development. Annual Publication 2025, pp. 377–386. Available at: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-344-645-8
Our project’s newest video
This video presents the PuuHyVä project and its innovative approach to optimizing intermediate floor structures to improve living comfort, durability, and cost‑efficiency in construction. Discover how our team returned to the drawing board to solve challenges related to sound transmission and the excessive use of materials in residential and office buildings.
Watch the dynamic video on optimizing intermediate floor structures!
Wood Day (Puupäivä) 2025 in Helsinki – HIFO Project at the Event Stand
The PuuHyVä project participated with its own stand and presentations at Puuinfo’s national Wood Day (Puupäivä) event, held on 30 October 2025 in the Siipi hall of the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. The event attracted a record audience, bringing together more than a thousand construction professionals.
Experiences and articles
More information
Facts
HIFO – Hybrid intermediate floor optimization for wood construction
Info
Budget
The project is implemented within the framework of the Innovative Finland (ERDF) theme of the Innovation and Skills in Finland 2021-2027 programme. Xamk’s part of the total budget is € 699 860, from which the amount of EU funding is € 559 888.
Keywords
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