Timber Research Structures

Solid timber series

Following on from the ‘Plywood Series’ of timber research structures, Andrew collaborated with postgraduate students at the University of Auckland School of Architecture & Planning on projects developing the use of thin timber elements as structure.

These projects have become progressively more technologically ambitious, producing consistent innovation in the fields of timber design and fabrication. The most recent project, developed with Dylan Waddell, involved the development of lightweight timber structures fabricated from relatively small structural elements with relatively complex machined joints. Such structures are fabricated from elements that occupy something of a gap in the spectrum of CNC fabrication options available in NZ. Highly specialised CNC machines can be used to fabricate heavy primary structural members, while smaller, less sophisticated and more widely available milling machines are used to mill sheet materials into small internal elements such as parts for cabinetry. However, smaller, non-repetitive structural and finishing timber elements are typically now still fabricated by hand on the construction site. The focus of this project is to devise a methodology for efficiently modeling and milling such elements en masse using widely available flat-bed CNC machines. This will involve digital processes for modeling elements and preparing cutting files, as well as the development of a jig system that allows elements to rapidly be secured in the milling machine, milled, and removed for assembly. The techniques developed through this project became the technological basis for the Venice Biennale 2020 project, and later the series of projects at Summerhill Park.

2016 Atmosphere of Joinery, Lingyu Wang

2016 Timber Cloud Jingkun Ye

2017 Introspective Pavilion, Cheryl Wallbridge

2018 Architecture as Educator, Taylor Kim

2018 Supernormal Play Structure, Heyaun Lu

2019 Shadow Pavilion, Dylan Waddell

2020 Watari-Ago Shelter, Kanade Konoshi

LOCATION Henderson High School, Auckland; Oxford Terrace Baptist Church, Christchurch; Tawharanui, Auckland

YEARS 2016-2019

PROJECT TEAM Andrew Barrie, Matt Liggins, Lingyu Wang, Jingkun Ye, Cheryl Wallbridge, Taylor Kim, Heyaun Lu, Dylan Waddell

CONSULTANTS Structural Engineer: John Chapman; Ruamoko Solutions

PHOTOGRAPHY Patrick Reynolds, Dylan Waddell