Timber structures made of naturally curved oak wood: prototypes and processes

Highly optimised processing workflows characterise today’s wood industry. The gained efficiency is mainly directed towards making standardised linear materials that fulfil the market’s expectation of a continuous flow identical products with certain constant specifications. research presented here seeks to question these limitations and provide another approach use in construction. study involves complex geometry handling, architectural design, material structural considerations. Trees absorb CO2 during growth, as construction material, can function storage, thereby reducing levels atmosphere lifetime building—and even longer if building components be reused. We have seen significant rise over past few years. This partly due growing climate awareness increased availability engineered (EWP). EWPs are reliant on uniform tree production. With interest using for construction, an increase plantation forests predicted, leading lack biodiversity affected areas. consideration general expressed through may thus appear contrast efforts improve biodiversity. alternative route where non-uniform wood, usually used firewood, material. project demonstrates possibilities emerge from engaging specific occurrence biological entity rather than While historical precedents inspire research, has been developed digital tools, such laser scanning, algorithmic design robotic fabrication. unique design-to-production workflow uses curved natural its original form enable designs. links inherent properties distinct mode expression. retrieved sawmill collects discarded trunks local forests. sawlogs registered 3D scanner, customised parametric method handle geometric information establish database irregular saw logs. A custom-made tool identifies fit best predefined based database. Machining data directly extracted subsequent processing. shape suggests discrete analysis each component. series destructive physical tests carried out indicate capacity system joint solution. To demonstrate viability workflow, challenges controlling tolerances humidity, develop assembly strategy, we produced prototype 15 members size 3 m width 4 height.