Transforming Rail Infrastructure: Strong by Form and Deutsche Bahn Unveil Bio-Inspired Shelter in Berlin

A new standard for sustainable public infrastructure has arrived in Germany. We have partnered with DB mindbox (the startup accelerator of Deutsche Bahn) and InfraGO to develop and install a groundbreaking modular weather shelter, or Wetterschutzhäuschen, at the Südkreuz station in Berlin.  

This prototype is a masterclass in material efficiency, leveraging our Woodflow technology to create high-performance, lightweight structures that mimic nature’s own engineering. The design introduces two major technical innovations:  

• ‍Reinforced Plates: Inspired by the venation of cantilevering leaves, these 6mm wood composite surfaces are folded along stress lines to maximize stiffness with minimal weight.  

• rigid Nodes: Modeled after tree branching, these multi-laminar wood connections eliminate the need for traditional metal plates and bolts, further reducing the carbon footprint and using recycled plywood waste.  

A comprehensive Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), conducted according to ISO 14040/44 standards, reveals the immense impact of this shift. Compared to traditional steel and glass shelters, our Woodflow design reduces CO2 emissions by 53%, with the potential to reach 70% if manufactured locally in Germany. With more than 20,000 shelters currently operated by Deutsche Bahn, this collaboration marks a pivotal step toward the total decarbonization of transit infrastructure in Europe.  

The future of sustainable transit is here, and it is built from the ground up—literally—with wood.  

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