One Ashley Road
Architect: Unknown Works
Location: London, England
Type: Pavilion
Year: 2024
Images: © Henry Woide, Teshan Selva, Unknown Works
The following description is courtesy of the architects. The Armadillo is a pioneering timber arts pavilion that opened on June 1 at Trinity Buoy Wharf in celebration of the 2024 London Festival of Architecture. Responding to the 2024 theme ‘Reimagine’, the Armadillo extends the opportunities of experimental cross-laminated timber (CLT) architecture to push forward a natural, spatial sound experience.
The Armadillo is the result of a collaboration between Unknown Works, Xilonor, ConstruktCLT and Houghton Music & Arts Festival, with the support of Unknown Works, ConstruktCLT, Studio Allen, Rothoblaas, ARUP, Charcoalblue, Klimstar and Rubio Monocoat.
Developed using new research into CLT construction and fabrication, the Armadillo will be located at Trinity Buoy Wharf in East London throughout June, before relocating to Houghton Music & Arts Festival in Norfolk. The pavilion will remain a permanent stage at the annual cultural event founded by legendary DJ, Craig Richards, at the Houghton Estate.
The Armadillo takes the form of stepped timber arches ascending in size, constructed from 42 prefabricated CLT panels. Designed for disassembly and reuse, the structure facilitates easy repurposing or relocation, minimising waste and maximising its lifespan.
The pavilion will be the first external structure in the United Kingdom to be made from a new CLT made using Eucalyptus timber innovatively developed and manufactured by Xilonor. The material is a highly durable and water repellent alternative to other types of cross-laminated timber which utilise only Spruce or Pine.
The Armadillo has been optimised for natural acoustic amplification without producing sound feedback to performers. The angles of the timber panels project sound outwards, while slender gaps along the tesselating archways are lined with an opaque silicone membrane. The arches are inset with programmable lighting tracks, providing a dynamic multisensory arts experience.
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Following its exhibition at the London Festival of Architecture throughout June, the Armadillo will be deconstructed and re-erected at Houghton Music & Arts Festival in Norfolk. The festival is located within the grounds of the Grade-I listed Houghton Hall, a 1722 Palladian home surrounded by a world-renowned sculpture park featuring works by James Turrell, Sean Scully, Richard Long, and Anish Kapoor. The Armadillo will be permanently nestled within the woodland setting as a multi-use venue, providing a platform for music, congregation and sonic experiences to entrance festival-goers.
The Armadillo is opened to visitors on June 1st at Trinity Buoy Wharf, supported by a digital exhibition highlighting the process of design, fabrication and construction. The pavilion will feature talks from project partners and a series of music performances.
The Armadillo reimagines the opportunities of CLT architecture and pushes forward a new spatial sound experience, to be enjoyed year after year both in London and its future home at Houghton Music & Arts Festival.
Ben Hayes, Director at Unknown Works said;
‘The Armadillo is the creative culmination of long term partnerships with fantastic collaborators who continue to innovate in their respective fields. We are proud to be working with Houghton Music & Arts Festival to give the Armadillo a long life; relocating the timber structure to a permanent woodland home is a fitting representation of cultural architecture that goes against the grain of the highly wasteful status quo of typical exhibition design.’
Craig Richards, Founder and Creative Director at Houghton Music & Arts Festival said;
‘Houghton has always aimed to represent and celebrate art, music and design. Our statement thus far begins with the land itself – Houghton Hall is an established and internationally renowned art institute. Over the past eight years, we have slowly defined the appearance of our four-day gathering in the Norfolk countryside. Commissioning of new work has always been part of our plan, and one of the most effective methods of achieving a greater aesthetic is through collaboration. This new partnership with Unknown Works marks an exciting step into the world of architecture. With great consideration and vision, they have created an astonishing piece of work called The Armadillo. Witnessing its creation has been enormously inspiring. We simply cannot wait for it to be installed in its permanent woodland home at Houghton.
Project Details
- Start on site: April 2024
- Completion date: May 2024
- Construction cost: £60,000
- Architect: Unknown Works
- CLT Manufacture: Xilonor
- CLT Expert & Contractor: ConstruktCLT
- Fixings: Rothoblaas
- Structural engineer: Studio Allen and ARUP
- Acoustic Design: Charcoal Blue
- Lighting Contractor: Smart Space Group
- Cladding Contractor: Klimstar Ltd
- Coating: Rubio Monocoat
- Photographer: © Henry Woide + Unknown Works
