On display at the Chelsea College of Art Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground as part of the London Design Festival, The Smile is a curved, tubular structure meant to showcase the structural and spatial potential of cross-laminated American Tulipwood and CLT in general.
The project, which was designed by Alison Brooks Architects in association with The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), Arup, and the London Design Festival, measures 3.5 meters high, 4.5 meters wide, and 34 meters long and can be inhabited and explored by the public.
The Smile claims to be the first project in the world to use large, construction-sized hardwood CLT panels. The entire structure is made up of just 12 panels, each one measuring up to 14 meters long and 4.5 meters wide. The fabrication of these panels in a CLT production plant helped to showcase how the material could be used for commercial projects.
CLT is typically made from spruce, a softer wood, but Arup and AHEC have been experimenting with North American Tulipwood, which is fast-growing and has shown to be considerably stronger than spruce. Its appearance is also considered by many to be superior.
The structure is on display until the 12th of October.
You can view a time-lapse video of its construction below.
Photo courtesy of Alison Brooks Architects
Photo courtesy of Alison Brooks Architects
Related Stories
| Sep 23, 2022
High projected demand for new housing prompts debate on best climate-friendly materials
The number of people living in cities could increase to 80% of the total population by 2100. That could require more new construction between now and 2050 than all the construction done since the start of the industrial revolution.
Mass Timber | Aug 30, 2022
Mass timber construction in 2022: From fringe to mainstream
Two Timberlab executives discuss the market for mass timber construction and their company's marketing and manufacturing strategies. Sam Dicke, Business Development Manager, and Erica Spiritos, Director of Preconstruction, Timberlab, speak with BD+C's John Caulfield.
Building Materials | Aug 3, 2022
Shawmut CEO Les Hiscoe on coping with a shaky supply chain in construction
BD+C's John Caulfield interviews Les Hiscoe, CEO of Shawmut Design and Construction, about how his firm keeps projects on schedule and budget in the face of shortages, delays, and price volatility.
Building Materials | Jul 20, 2022
LP Building Solutions celebrates 50th anniversary at NYSE ceremony
LP Building Solutions celebrates 50th anniversary at NYSE ceremony.
Building Materials | Jun 20, 2022
Early-stage procurement: The next evolution of the construction supply chain
Austin Commercial’s Jason Earnhardt explains why supply chain issues for the construction industry are not going to go away and how developers and owners can get ahead of project roadblocks.
Sponsored | Wood | Apr 21, 2022
PDX Gets Back to its Roots with Engineered Wood
Evoking the serenity of a Pacific Northwest forest, this massive airport redesign features glulam timber and mass plywood panels from local manufacturers.
Wood | Apr 13, 2022
Mass timber: Multifamily’s next big building system
Mass timber construction experts offer advice on how to use prefabricated wood systems to help you reach for the heights with your next apartment or condominium project.
Contractors | Mar 28, 2022
Amid supply chain woes, building teams employ extreme procurement measures
Project teams are looking to eliminate much of the guesswork around product availability and price inflation by employing early bulk-purchasing measures for entire building projects.
Office Buildings | Feb 23, 2022
The Beam on Farmer, Arizona’s first mass timber, multi-story office building tops out
The Beam on Farmer, Arizona’s first mass timber, multi-story office building, topped out on Feb. 10, 2022.