A twist in timber, resolved for assembly.
The Malaysian Timber Council’s Archidex pavilion turns its pentagonal logo into a walk-through glulam structure. Successive timber frames rotate along the installation, creating a twisting enclosure that showcases Mengkulang, a Malaysian timber species.
The engineering rationalised the architectural intent into a laterally stable structural form using tensile rods that complement the installation’s aesthetics.
The enclosure is formed by a sequence of pentagonal glulam frames set at changing angles. This divides the structure into individual frames that can be prefabricated and easily assembled in an exhibition hall.
The structural concept uses pin-jointed pentagons linked by bolted connections, with steel-rod bracing providing lateral stability along the long elevation.
Malaysian Timber Council
2015
Structural engineering
Completed
An early structural concept developing the architectural intent into a structurally rational form.
The engineering analysis model verified the structural concept and informed the efficient sizing of the timber members.
The construction photograph shows the glulam members and exposed steel fixings.
The front view shows the assembled timber frames forming the walk-through installation.