kengo kuma's chicken coop for casa wabi is an interlocking system of charred wooden boards

this chicken coop designed by architect kengo kuma forms part of casa wabi, a nonprofit arts center in oaxaca, mexico. adding to buildings completed by tadao ando and ambrosi etchegaray, the structure is an interlocking system of wooden boards that have been charred — a method widely practiced in kengo kuma’s native japan. as well as creating individual spaces for the chickens to rest, the configuration also allows permeability and a constant flow of ventilation.

all images © sergio lópez

‘we thought of conceiving this coop in a way that could relate to collective housing projects,’ explains kengo kuma and associates. ‘while the sheltered space within this pavilion would be used for the general activities of the coop; the structure itself, built-up by interlocking wooden boards together, would create individual cells within for each of its inhabitants for their resting. in addition, the permeable nature of this interlocking system makes this become a well aired and shaded house.’

the interlocking system of 30 millimeter boards creates a latticed structure that is capable of supporting itself. the architects explain that to support the horizontal loads, they tried to avoid using structural bracing by inserting rigid elements within each of the cells. ‘these rigid elements would locally limit the deformation of the lattice and therefore provide the overall bracing of the structure — it’s a pixelated kind of bracing,’ says the design team.

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project info:

name: casa wabi coop
design: kengo kuma and associates
location: casa wabi, oaxaca, mexico
size: 155 sqm / 1,668 sqf
photography: sergio lópez