kengo kuma builds temporary pavilion in japan from cross-laminated timber panels

kengo kuma and associates (KKAA), the firm led by japanese architect kengo kuma, has designed a temporary pavilion for events and performances in harumi, tokyo. the semi-outdoor space was built using a steel frame infilled with panels made from cross-laminated timber. these CLT panels measure 160 x 350 centimeters (63 x 138 inches) and are 21 cm (8 inches) thick. the result is a structure that appears to spiral upwards towards the sky.

all images © kawasumi・kobayashi kenji photograph office, unless otherwise stated

to prevent wind and rain from entering the pavilion, KKAA used transparent pieces made from TEFKA (a copolymer film made of ethylene and chloro-trifluoro-ethylene) to fill in the gaps between the panels. these kite-shaped elements allow light to enter the space, with the wooden panels filtering the light like trees in a forest. ‘TEFKA is lighter than glass and so pliable as to be rolled to transport it,’ says kengo kuma. ‘it is the ideal material for relocation and reconstruction. it also has the perfect transparency we have sought.’

the meiken lamwood corporation in maniwa used japanese cypress from japan’s okayama prefecture to make the CLT panels. after their period of use in harumi is over, the panels will be transported to the hiruzen national park where they will be reassembled in an area surrounded by greenery. see other projects by kengo kuma on designboom here, including a flower-shaped nursery school also made from wood.

image © hiroshi kuwahara

image © satoshi takae

project info:

name: CLT park harumi
location: tokyo, japan
total floor area: 1,631.16 sqm
function: museum
KKAA project team: ohba shin, sungyeon won, taiki monaka, niijima kengo, kudo kohei, mochizuki yohei, kamiya yuzuru, tokai hisako, yoo shiho
collaborating offices/ subcontractors: mitsubishi estate company, limited; mitsubishi jisho sekkei; mitsubishi jisho home; iwai kensetu; furukawa setsubi; makino densetsu; MEIKEN; DEVICE; TRA・K; department of architecture, college of engineering, nihon university; denka; KIRIYAMA; TIME＆ STYLE; SENTIDO
photography: kawasumi・kobayashi kenji photograph office / satoshi takae / hiroshi kuwahara