A collaboration between The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), Alison Brooks Architects and Arup engineers, "The Smile" is one of this year's Landmark Projects at the London Design Festival.
A collaboration between The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), Alison Brooks Architects and Arup engineers, "The Smile" is one of this year's Landmark Projects at the London Design Festival.
Courtesy Dav Stewart
"The Smile" showcases the structural and spatial potential of cross-laminated American tulipwood, which is stronger than concrete, and can also be machined to incredibly high tolerances.
"The Smile" showcases the structural and spatial potential of cross-laminated American tulipwood, which is stronger than concrete, and can also be machined to incredibly high tolerances.
Courtesy Dav Stewart
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is an engineered timber that can be used to make the walls and floors of entire buildings. It has a layered construction with the wood fibers turned at right angles in each successive layer, creating a panel with equal strength in both directions.
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is an engineered timber that can be used to make the walls and floors of entire buildings. It has a layered construction with the wood fibers turned at right angles in each successive layer, creating a panel with equal strength in both directions.
Courtesy Dav Stewart
An interior view of "The Smile" reveals the attractive versatility of CLT.
An interior view of "The Smile" reveals the attractive versatility of CLT.
Courtesy Dav Stewart
The curved, tubular timber structure measures 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) high, 4.5 meters (14.8 feet) wide, and 34 meters (111.5 feet) long.
The curved, tubular timber structure measures 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) high, 4.5 meters (14.8 feet) wide, and 34 meters (111.5 feet) long.
Courtesy Dav Stewart
Alison Brooks' concept is the first ever "mega-tube" made with construction-sized panels of hardwood CLT.
Alison Brooks' concept is the first ever "mega-tube" made with construction-sized panels of hardwood CLT.
Courtesy Dav Stewart
"(CLT is) going to open up a whole new world of possibility," says Brooks, see here. "It reveals the possibility of buildings being completely fabricated in wood."
"(CLT is) going to open up a whole new world of possibility," says Brooks, see here. "It reveals the possibility of buildings being completely fabricated in wood."
Courtesy Guy Bell
"The Smile" is made from just 12 huge tulipwood panels.
"The Smile" is made from just 12 huge tulipwood panels.
Courtesy Jon Cardwell
The largest panel is 14 meters (46 feet) long and 4.5 meters (14.8 feet) wide, a size that can compete with precast concrete.
The largest panel is 14 meters (46 feet) long and 4.5 meters (14.8 feet) wide, a size that can compete with precast concrete.
Courtesy Jon Cardwell
An early model of "The Smile."
An early model of "The Smile."
Courtesy Alison Brooks Architects