Woven Pavilion

View of the rear podium at the Marylebone Campus at University of Westminster

Stacking of assembled elements to be bolted together

Arches being assembled by lifting one end of the lightweight structure to bolt on a new segment

Arches arranged in a parallel row - these can simply be moved due to their lightweigh nature

Detailed view of joint

The assembly team with students of DS 3(2) lead by Maria Kramer and Weber Industries

Installation of a semi arch for the end of year exhibition at the University of Westminster

Exhibition at the University of Westminster, which won 'Best in Show'

All photography: Room 102 ltd

Woven Pavilion

This is an exciting opportunity to visit an innovative and inspiring pavilion built by architecture students of Design Studio 3(2) lead by Maria Kramer, director of Room 102 ltd with the support of Weber Industries and StructureMode, as part of the London Festival of Architecture. It can be visited at the rear podium of the Marylebone Campus of the University of Westminster.

We developed a 'Woven Pavilion' CNC cutting slots in 6mm plywood sheets to create openings through which arches are 'woven', which are based on a catenary curve for optimum structural capabilities, with the support of Karamba/ Grashopper software. The arches are made in sections based on standard plywood sheet sizes and are simply bolted together on site.

Due to the complex, pre-buckled shape of the structural cladding, load tests were carried out and taken to the point of failure, to prove that the structural capacity is above any predicted wind loading. Instead of a deck as 'foundation', benches filled with sandbags were developed, avoiding any ground fixings or ties between the arches.

The pavilion uses digital fabrication tools for construction and development in collaboration with the in-house Fabrication Laboratory and funded by the Quentin Hogg Trust.

The arches provide shelter and protection throughout the year for students and members of staff.