International Wood International Wood 2017 | Page 24

The World’s Urban Future May Rely on
its Oldest Building Material
The Smile is a dramatic, gravity-defying urban pavilion that showcases
the structural and spatial potential of American tulipwood.
T
he 115 foot long Smile is installed in the courtyard of the Chelsea College of Arts in
London. It was designed by London-based architect Alison Brooks and engineered by a
team from Arup in collaboration with the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC)
for the 2016 London Design Festival.
The Smile is constructed entirely of cross laminated hardwood timber (CLT), a wood
panel product made from solid-sawn lumber and typically consisting of three, five, or seven
layers of wood. Each layer is oriented perpendicular to adjacent layers and then glued to
form structural panels with extraordinary strength, rigidity and dimensional stability.
“Entering The Smile through an opening where the curved form meets the ground, the
visitor can walk from end to end of the 34 meter long tube to discover a new kind of space
that gradually rises toward light,” said Brooks.
“All four sides of The Smile’s interior are made of the same beautiful hardwood panels
as the structure. It offers a complete sensory experience of color, texture, scent and sound.
The Smile’s two open ends illuminate the funnel-like interior space and act as balconies to
the city,” she said.
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INTERNATIONAL WOOD
Smile Awhile: