Timber
Pavilion

Competition introduction

Competition organisers

Timber has been used in construction since the prehistoric man first pulled down trees to make shelter. And while in more recent decades construction has moved away from timber to materials like concrete and steel, it appears that timber could be making a comeback. Timber is regaining popularity as it’s one of the most sustainable and readily accessible building materials in use.

Timber is also an incredibly flexible material as it’s simple to machine into elements with great accuracy. It’s also lighter and more-easily moved and connected which reduces construction costs and times, all while having been found to have a positive aesthetic that improves productivity and concentration for those living and working in timber structures.



The first annual Timber Pavilion is a celebration of timber as a building material. Competition participants are tasked with choosing a site for a temporary timber pavilion that would function to showcase an exhibition about timber as a construction material. The pavilion should not exceed 50 m² and the contents of the exhibition should be included in the submitted designs.



The purpose of the temporary pavilion is to explore the history and merits of timber as a construction material, push the limits of its use, and highlight its versatility and durability. The jury will be looking for projects that take an innovative approach to using timber in their designs, so creative thinking is paramount.

Download full competition brief for more information!

Competition is open to all. No professional qualification is required. Design proposals can be developed individually or by teams (4 team members maximum). Correspondence with organizers must be conducted in English; All information submitted by participants must be in English.