Precision in every block – modular QUBBS houses rely on WISA^®-Spruce

Vilma Kojola

Editor, Tulus

Precision starts with the right material. Built from CNC-machined plywood blocks that fit together like a puzzle, QUBBS uses WISA^®-Spruce to ensure consistent quality and enable accurate and fast on-site assembly.

QUBBS is a modular and individually adaptable building system based on CNC-machined plywood blocks that are stacked and screwed together into a complete structure. The system is designed to make construction easier, more affordable and more adaptable for different life situations.

Founder Torsten Köhler developed the concept based on decades of hands-on experience in design and construction. During his career, he had seen that conventional building methods were often unnecessarily complex and could compromise the breathability and moisture regulation of building structures.

“Rethinking construction pushed me towards QUBBS. I wanted to simplify the building process without compromising quality,” Köhler says. This ultimately led him to choose WISA®-Spruce for the system.

High-quality plywood for precise CNC machining

When Köhler started developing the prototype in 2021, he tested multiple plywood options, but the lightweight yet strong uncoated WISA-Spruce became the clear winner.

“The other options varied in thickness and the CNC edge quality was poor. This meant that when we built the blocks, they did not fit properly together,” Köhler says.

For QUBBS, consistent quality is essential. High-quality plywood reduces the need for rework, as the cut-outs, slots and joints fit perfectly together straightaway. Dimensionally stable WISA-Spruce minimizes errors and delays, saves costs and improves overall efficiency.

“With WISA there are really no mistakes, no layers that come out in CNC machining. We can mill it, build it together and it’s finished – there’s no need for extra work after,” Köhler notes. “No other material came close to the WISA-Spruce quality.”

Building blocks for rethinking construction

Like building blocks, the floor, walls and roof of QUBBS houses are built by stacking and screwing together plywood blocks. The blocks are designed to interlock securely, creating a stable structure without the need for additional bracing. This makes assembly fast and intuitive, even without a spirit level, allowing the structure to be completed within just a few days.

Customers can participate in building their own homes without specialized tools or advanced skills, guided by the design plan and numbered blocks. Basic, battery-powered tools like drills are often enough.

The consistent quality of WISA plywood enables the blocks to be manufactured locally by suitable partners, while local tradespeople can complete the finishings and technical installations such as electrical work or plumbing.

“With QUBBS, we can move construction closer to the customer, use existing local production facilities and still keep the same quality and precision while reducing transportation needs and costs,” Köhler says.

The modular system also works across different life situations – from smaller homes and holiday houses to family homes and extensions. It enables the houses to be adapted over time and to grow with their owners.

Designed for sustainable living

Sustainability guides both the QUBBS system and the material choices behind it. QUBBS uses renewable, wood-based materials, allowing the structure to be adapted and reused over time to extend their lifecycle.

WISA-Spruce is manufactured from responsibly sourced Nordic spruce veneers glued together with WISA BioBond, a bonding solution that replaces part of fossil-based phenol with lignin, the natural adhesive found in trees.

Supported by transparent, verified documentation, WISA-Spruce meets strict emission standards, including E1 formaldehyde and M1 emission classifications, ensuring safe indoor use.

“WISA-Spruce also smells good, like wood and not like strong chemicals,” Köhler says.

“WISA-Spruce is our first choice for constructing a breathable building and creating a healthy living environment without harmful substances. When you build with wood, the house feels different,” Köhler adds.

For QUBBS, WISA-Spruce is more than a component. It is the foundation that enables precise, efficient and sustainable construction.

“We only use WISA for block construction. When WISA-Spruce panels are available, we don’t use any other plywood,” Köhler sums up.

Case in brief

Customer: QUBBS, Germany

Industry: Modular residential construction

WISA product: Uncoated WISA®-Spruce plywood

Application: CNC-machined modular plywood blocks for house construction

Customer need: A dimensionally stable and consistently high-quality plywood for precise CNC machining, fast assembly and breathable wooden structures

Key benefits: Consistent thickness and clean CNC machining performance, lightweight yet strong structure, responsibly sourced material that meets strict emission standards.

Result: QUBBS uses WISA®-Spruce as the core material in its modular building system, enabling accurate block assembly, efficient construction and adaptable homes designed for sustainable living.

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