Architecture studio Unknown Works created the Armadillo Pavilion, which is a half-crescent structure that is made from stepped timber arches. It is currently on show as a part of the London Festival of Architecture located at Trinity Buoy Wharf. It is made from 42 prefabricated cross-laminated timber panels that are crafted fro eucalyptus timber -- this is meant to be durable and water-repellent.
Director at Unknown Works, Ben Hayes speaks about the design to Dezeen, noting "We set out to sculpt new typologies from this material, crafting innovative CLT forms and pioneering demountable fixing systems. We are also interested in testing novel structural and geometric forms that can be made from CLT. Working with the team, we decided on a series of interconnected modular arch structures that are fully demountable."
Image Credit: Henry Woide
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Sustainable Timber Construction
- The use of eucalyptus timber in the Armadillo Pavilion highlights the push towards environmentally-friendly and water-repellent building materials.
- Modular Architectural Designs
- Interconnected modular arch structures represent a growing trend in creating flexible and demountable architectural solutions.
- Innovative CLT Forms
- Crafting new typologies and geometric forms from cross-laminated timber showcases the trend of leveraging CLT's structural capabilities in unique ways.
Sectors Adopting This
- Architecture
- The architecture industry is exploring new material possibilities with cross-laminated timber to construct durable and aesthetically pleasing structures.
- Sustainable Construction
- Sustainable construction emphasizes the importance of using eco-friendly materials like eucalyptus timber to create long-lasting and water-resistant buildings.
- Prefabrication
- Prefabrication techniques are being enhanced to include innovative materials and designs, as seen in the development of the Armadillo Pavilion's prefabricated panels.
