Structure Craft: We’re excited to reveal this design collaboration with BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group at our Mass Timber Conference booth in Portland next week! This full-scale structural mockup uses an exterior Glulam diagrid achieved with 100% wood connections.

For the new School of Architecture and Design at the The University of Kansas, we had the opportunity to create this mockup of the larger building featuring part of the Glulam diagrid, the architecturally expressive “Hero Node”, and a section of the L2 floor plate. 

Notably, the diagrid connections are designed as all-wood, inspired by traditional Japanese joinery, and requiring a high-level of precision in detailing and fabrication. Our structural design was entirely modeled in Branch 3D, fabricated in our shop by master carpenters, and will be erected in just 8 hours on the conference floor.

We thank the University as well as BIG for allowing us to exercise our passion in timber engineering and craftsmanship, creating something elegant and beautiful for thousands to experience.
Be sure to check out the mockup alongside demonstrations of our latest Branch real-time structural analysis and design technology on display at Booth #552 at the Oregon Convention Center on March 26-28! 

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