Armadillo, CLT Sound Pavilion

The Armadillo is a Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) Sound Pavilion. A pioneering project that delves into the realm of innovative timber construction and acoustic design.

This project emerges from a collaboration between Xilonor CLT, Houghton Music & Arts Festival, Unknown Works, ConstruktCLT, Studio Allen, Rothoblaas, ARUP, Charcoalblue, Smart Space Group, Klimstar and Rubio Monocoat.

For the London Festival of Architecture, it will be situated overlooking the Thames River within the heart of Trinity Buoy Wharf, a site renowned for its rich cultural heritage and proving ground for electric lighthouses where Michael Faraday carried out many experiments. This pavilion will contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of creativity and craftsmanship that defines this quiet outcrop nestled on the riverbank. Celebrating the site's legacy of creativity and innovation, the pavilion's design features a new type of timber construction.

The pavilion is the world’s first exposed eucalyptus CLT structure, designed by Unknown Works, innovatively manufactured by Xilonor CLT, engineered by Studio Allen and ARUP and assembled by ConstruktCLT. The pavilion is both a stage and an amplifier, acoustically optimised by Charcoal Blue.

Responding to the LFA24 theme, the pavilion serves as a nexus for designers, performers, manufacturers, artists, musicians, and makers, exploring the temporary activation of public space through architecture and sound.

Visitors encounter a towering timber pavilion, meticulously crafted to acoustically enhance its surroundings and amplify sound outwards. Complementing the pavilion is an adjacent exhibition space, showcasing and sharing knowledge of the design, research and innovative materials and fabrication processes involved in its creation.

As a focal point for cultural exchange, the pavilion hosts a diverse array of engaging talks, immersive workshops, and captivating performances demonstrating how every corner of the city can foster sustainability, equity, and collaboration.

Designed for disassembly and reuse across various sites, the Armadillo's structure facilitates easy repurposing or relocation, thereby minimising waste and maximising its lifespan. The pavilion will be relocated to Houghton Hall to become a permanent stage nestled in the site’s woodlands, providing a platform for music, congregation and sonic experiences to entrance audiences.

Following its exhibition at the London Festival of Architecture, the pavilion has been commissioned by Houghton Music & Arts Festival to exist as a permanent piece at the yearly festival in Norfolk.