The University of Stuttgart is renowned for its research into new materials and construction methods. The last studies are about wood as confirmed by the creation of the world-first self-twisted tower in Germany. Realized by the Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD) and Institute for Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE), the “Urbach Tower” is made using a new  non-energy-intensive process that involves predicting how wood will shrink as it dries out. Based on this technique, the flat timber panels are designed to warp into the desired shape. This method is a way of "programming" wood to take on a specific shape. The advantage of self-shaping is that it requires little energy, avoiding the need for the kind of heavy machinery that would usually form these kinds of timber components.

"While making this work is relatively simple - explains ICD head Achim Menges - predicting the outcome is the real challenge. Being able to do so opens up many new architectural possibilities. Computational design and simulation enables us to work with the material and to unfold specific form from it, rather than forcing it into shape”.

The University of Stuttgart describes the tower as having an "almost soft and textile-like" form that "opens like a curtain" onto the Rems Valley, where it is located. The building is one of 15 permanent small buildings to be introduced into the valley for the garden show.