Structural Designer
Ove Arup and Partners LTD
Client Name
American Hardwood Export Council
Location
London, UK
PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR: Zublin Timber
ARCHITECT: Alison Brooks Architects Ltd KEY TEAM MEMBER: London Design Festival
GROUNDWORKS: Mitchellson
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Smile represents the first ever use of large hardwood cross laminated timber (CLT) panels and has received worldwide acclaim for the way it effortlessly combines structure and architecture in the most ambitious CLT structure ever built. It has been described as the happy face of the timber construction revolution and was designed as the centrepiece of the 2016 London Design Festival.
Judge's comment: The Smile represents the first use of large Tulipwood hardwood cross laminated timber (CLT) panels and has received worldwide acclaim for its effortless combination of structure and architecture. It was described as the happy face of the timber construction revolution and the centrepiece of the 2016 London Design Festival. The Smile is 34m long, incorporating two 12m cantilevers - each designed to carry up to 60 people. In terms of structural demand, the Smile is similar to the cantilevering core stabilising a 4-storey building, and it resists torsional distortion effects in the same manner as a box girder bridge.
Judge's comment:
The Smile represents the first use of large Tulipwood hardwood cross laminated timber (CLT) panels and has received worldwide acclaim for its effortless combination of structure and architecture. It was described as the happy face of the timber construction revolution and the centrepiece of the 2016 London Design Festival.
The Smile is 34m long, incorporating two 12m cantilevers - each designed to carry up to 60 people. In terms of structural demand, the Smile is similar to the cantilevering core stabilising a 4-storey building, and it resists torsional distortion effects in the same manner as a box girder bridge.