Very happy to be part of this beautiful project by @helenhardarchitects , exhibited at @danisharchitecturecenter as part of the "Women in Architecture" exhibition! Digital modelling methods developed through my work at @citacph@kglakademi are deployed here to create the beam geometries, solve complex wood connections, and generate production data for each of the 131 elements.
The design is conceived and developed by HHA (@sivhelene1966 , Håvard Auklend, Simon Aeschimann). The structure is made out of Douglas Fir flooring offcuts donated by @dinesen , exquisitely crafted and assembled by @winther.1856 . The elegant seats and material prototypes are assembled and machined out of 3d-scanned crooked oak logs by researchers at @aarchdk (@matthias.k.h@nielsmartinlarsen@dobbelthest ). The project draws on the extensive expertise of @design2production for guidance, leadership, and keeping things on schedule.
A particularly special point about the structure is that there are no steel fasteners or plates: everything is joined using plywood plates and oak dowels.
As an example of a very productive collaboration between all the different team members, to me this shows the great potential of finding opportunities for synergy between research and industry, something that I hope we can continue to foster.
After five years, a pandemic, a material shortage crisis, and so many other challenges, I'm happy to present this collaboration between myself, Dina Sarhane (@dinasarhane ), and Mani Mani (@manimani.ca ) in Kelowna, BC! The public art piece - Lodestar - is a 7.5 m-high structure made out of laminated Alaskan Yellow Cedar, forming an open canopy of intersecting volumes of wood. It is lit from the inside in order to create a strong silhouette at night, and perhaps to evoke the sense of a warm campfire in the dark forest. The usage of wood in such a way required careful attention to issues of durability, maintenance, and detailing, considering the highly variable climate in Kelowna and the temperamental nature of wood. As a way to explore the usage of wood in the public realm and challenge its limits, the project was a huge learning opportunity for all of us, a highly collaborative journey that we hope to continue.
Huge shout-out and a heartfelt thanks to fellow team members Anthony Mattachione and Alex Reiner, and partners City of Kelowna , Maffeis Engineering, Fishtnk, and Goodfellow who were all instrumental in getting this thing off the ground!!
More info here:
/the-lodestar
The excellent photos are by Latreille Architectural Photography.
@cityofkelowna@maffeisengineeringspa@goodfellowinc@mattacchione.a@bio.arc@fishtnk@dsstudio.ca@latreillephotography
You-Wei Yen’s thesis (2023), Robotic Adjustments in Reclaimed Timber Framework, has been presented and published together with tutor Tom Svilans at the 2025 World Conference on Timber Engineering - paper is now available online!
Abstract: Reusing timber elements in construction is a promising path toward extending their lifecycle and easing the pressure on the forest resource. The direct use of elements from disassembled timber buildings in new construction offers the path of least energy expenditure. However, it presents challenges due to material degradation, variation in form, and existing cutouts for joints or other features. This research prototypes a digital framework that leverages 3d laser scanning and robotic fabrication to detect geometric variations, cutouts, and material inconsistencies in reclaimed timber elements, and integrates them into the design process of new timber buildings through a digital mapping of resource-tomodel. The resultant framework demonstrates an adaptive and surgical approach to processing reclaimed timber elements,
mitigating the challenges of their reuse and increasing the number of components that can be included in new construction.
#computationinarchitecture #architecturalrobotics #timberengineering #timberrobotics #timberconstruction
Barn Again has been nominated for @archdaily Building of the Year 2026, Small Scale & Installations category! 🏆
Built from reclaimed Norwegian barn timber, Barn Again rose on site in just 4 days at Gammel Strand, Copenhagen, inviting pause, gathering, and slowness as part of the Copenhagen Architecture Biennial.
Entirely demountable, richly weathered, and designed for reuse, this is timber with a past and now a future in neighbouring Sweden (watch this space)
🗳️ Vote now - link in bio!
⏰ Nominations open until Feb 10, 6pm
In collaboration with @tsvilans@bollingergrohmann@winther.1856 🌲
Just over a year ago, John, Sebastian, and I finished a pretty tough but very cool machining job up in Gjøvik, Norway. Omtre was commissioned to do the robotic machining of a set of tree roots and wavy ceiling panels for a stunning cabin design by Helen and Hard: Hytte Sande.
With a very constrained timeline (how unusual...) and a pretty barebones starting setup, we managed to robotically process 36 tree root columns and about 70 ceiling panels just in time for the Omtre Christmas party. We had to draw all the lines and press all the buttons and lift all the logs and figure out all the scannings, talk to the computer, all that stuff... Tons of learnings, literal tons of sawdust, a real fight but an incredible result in the end.
It's always a bit of a pity not to be able to share this kind of stuff as it happens - because of my bad social media skills and also hush-hush agreements - but I guess it is also nice to get some space to reflect and look back. I was also recently motivated to bring this up now, having spent the last few days at Aanesland Treindustri - the main contractor of the project - and seeing so many great photos of the process from their perspective: pulling the trees out of the ground and sending them to us, and then installing the finished columns on-site with the rest of the cabin, the view out to the sea from the finished space...
Anyway, looking forward to more challenging timber projects and starting things up again in January!
The photos of the finished space are by Sindre Ellingsen.
@morkjohn@sebastianlarssonn@havaauk@omtrenorge@helenhardarchitects@aaneslandtreindustri
Tomorrow is the last chance to visit our wonderful Slow Pavilions in their original locations ❤️
Be sure to stop by and enjoy a first - or final - look!
We are also working on finding new locations for the Pavilions. Several solutions are in progress, and we are still open to new suggestions or places where they might find a home.
Reach out to us at [email protected] if you have an idea.
Inside Out, Downside Up by Slaatto Morsbøl 📍Søren Kierkegaard Plads
Crafted almost entirely from reused materials, this tactile pavilion reflects the contrast of historic and modern architecture along the canal. It invites visitors to reconnect with their senses — and rethink how we build.
@lhhockerup and @nordstenaps have supplied materials for the pavilion. @sct.claramoelle have helped build it @slaattomorsboel | Winners of @arkitektforeningen ’s Udsyn Prize 2024
Barn Again by Tom Svilans & THISS Studio 📍Gammel Strand
A contemporary reimagination of a traditional Norwegian barn using salvaged timber — blending hand-craft and machine precision. It explores slowness in place-making, material reuse, and architectural storytelling. @tsvilans & @thiss.studio In collab with @bollingergrohmann , @winther.1856
The Slow Pavilions are supported by @revalu.io , @dreyersfond , and @buro_happold
Built with recycled, regenerative & reusable materials, the pavilions reflect our commitment to zero waste and ecological responsibility.
Come explore these unique spatial interventions in @cphculturaldistrict 18.09.25 - 19.10.25
Photos by: @majaflink
We’re honoured to share that our public art, Woodgate, has been awarded the City of Hamilton Urban Design Award!
WoodGate is a landmark public art piece that reimagines the intersection of King William Street and James Street North as a dynamic, human-scaled public space.
This 8.73-metre-tall sculpture is crafted from locally sourced Douglas Fir Glulam and conceals a couter balanced gate arm that can be lowered to transform the street into a pedestrianized public space anchoring this critical intersection as a cultural hub and destination.
Congratulations to the entire team !
Project Team:
@dinasarhane@tsvilans@dsstudio.ca@fishtnk
WSP Engineering @wspcanada
Hamilton Welding @hamiltonwelding
Fairway Electrical @fairwayelectrical
Glulam @goodfellowinc
Photography @riley_s_photo
Thank you to @cityofhamilton for supporting this vision.
#HamiltonDesign #HamiltonPublicArt #WoodGate #MassTimberDesign #PublicSpace #architecture #urbandesign #publicrealm #urbanplanning #placemaking #cityofhamilton
Autumn Holiday in Slow Pavilions 🍁🍂🍁
Do you have some extra time this week? Bring a friend and visit the Slow Pavilions at Søren Kirkegaards Plads and Gammel Strand. The pavilions are open around the clock, showcasing how we can slow down and build sustainably using reused materials.
Tomorrow and Friday, you can also experience activities in Barn Again at Gammel Strand, where we’ll be hosting more events in collaboration with HouseEurope!
See the full program for event details.
📸: @majaflink
The making of Barn Again
Each piece of barn timber passed between hand and machine, from reclaimed chaos to precision form.
Every beam was catalogued and categorised by a digital process, then stacked in a digital model, partially by algorithm and partly intuition.
They were processed by hand to protect tools from errant nails and unexpected elements before being passed to a CNC machine to create new connections. Finally, assembled (and tweaked) by hand - with skill and care - by @winther.1856
A dialogue between tradition and technology.
#CraftAndCode #DigitalCraft #ReclaimedTimber #ModernCraftsmanship #CNCWoodwork #TimberDesign #CircularDesign #DigitalFabrication #DesignProcess #MakingMatters #WoodworkingCommunity #SustainableDesign #ArchitecturalCraft
New Home for Our Slow Pavilions ❤️
Our wonderful Slow Pavilions by Slaatto Morsbøl and Tom Svilans X Thiss Studio need a new home. Built with reused and reclaimed materials, they have acted as symbols and hubs for the first Copenhagen Architecture Biennial.
In the spirit of reuse, we want to find a new home for the pavilions! Could you see your organization hosting the pavilions?
Then read here and write us on [email protected] 🌱💫
Inside Out, Downside Up by Slaatto Morsbøl 📍Søren Kierkegaard Plads
Crafted almost entirely from reused materials, this tactile pavilion reflects the contrast of historic and modern architecture along the canal. It invites visitors to reconnect with their senses — and rethink how we build.
@lhhockerup and @nordstenaps have supplied materials for the pavilion. @sct.claramoelle have helped build it @slaattomorsboel | Winners of @arkitektforeningen ’s Udsyn Prize 2024
Barn Again by Tom Svilans & THISS Studio 📍Gammel Strand
A contemporary reimagination of a traditional Norwegian barn using salvaged timber — blending hand-craft and machine precision. It explores slowness in place-making, material reuse, and architectural storytelling. @tsvilans & @thiss.studio In collab with @bollingergrohmann , @winther.1856
The Slow Pavilions are supported by @revalu.io , @dreyersfond , and @buro_happold
Built with recycled, regenerative & reusable materials, the pavilions reflect our commitment to zero waste and ecological responsibility.
Come explore these unique spatial interventions in @cphculturaldistrict 18.09.25 - 19.10.25
Photos by: @majaflink
The Winners of the Slow Pavilions at the Copenhagen Architecture Biennial 2025 are now open to the public! ✨
We’re proud to present the two winning pavilions that embody this year’s theme: SLOW DOWN — through reused materials, sensory experiences, and powerful architectural storytelling.
Inside Out, Downside Up by Slaatto Morsbøl 📍Søren Kierkegaard Plads
Crafted almost entirely from reused materials, this tactile pavilion reflects the contrast of historic and modern architecture along the canal. It invites visitors to reconnect with their senses — and rethink how we build.
@lhhockerup and @nordstenaps have supplied materials for the pavilion. @sct.claramoelle have helped build it @slaattomorsboel | Winners of @arkitektforeningen ’s Udsyn Prize 2024
Barn Again by Tom Svilans & THISS Studio 📍Gammel Strand
A contemporary reimagination of a traditional Norwegian barn using salvaged timber — blending hand-craft and machine precision. It explores slowness in place-making, material reuse, and architectural storytelling. @tsvilans & @thiss.studio In collab with @bollingergrohmann , @winther.1856
The Slow Pavilions are supported by @revalu.io , @dreyersfond , and @buro_happold
Built with recycled, regenerative & reusable materials, the pavilions reflect our commitment to zero waste and ecological responsibility.
Come explore these unique spatial interventions in @cphculturaldistrict 18.09.25 - 19.10.25
Photos by: @majaflink
Get a sneak peek of our Slow Pavilions 🌾✨
On Thursday from 16:00, you can join us for the opening of our two beautiful and forward-thinking Slow Pavilions.
The guided tour begins at Inside Out, Downside Up by @slaattomorsboel at Søren Kierkegaards Plads before continuing to Gl. Strand to explore Barn Again by Tom Svilans (@tsvilans ) x THISS Studio (@thiss.studio )
You will get a closer look at Tom Svilans x THISS Studio pavilion Barn Again, learning about its design approach and the ideas behind it, trough an interview with the creators.
We can’t wait to show you the two Slow Pavilions, built with recycled, regenerative, and reusable materials.
The pavilions will be built using recycled, regenerative, and reusable materials in a partnership with @revalu.io and @dreyersfond and @buro_happold , reflecting the biennial’s commitment to zero waste and long-term ecological impact. The pavilions will be erected in @cphculturaldistrict
