The present research describes the comprehensive development of a timber folded plate structure, and explores the potential of the folding principle for designing skeleton-based spatial shells. Corrugated structures are well-known for their efficiency with regard to material saving and structural reliability, by stiffening a thin surface with the introduction of a series of folds through an optimized geometric design. Their inherent composition of discrete planar elements allows a high degree of prefabrication, offering the possibility to benefit from one of the most advanced sectors in the industry, thereby attaining a responsible material consumption while minimizing the ecological footprint. This paper discusses the integrative design process and construction of the Pentaura Pavilion, a timber folded shell locally joined with few stiff mechanical fasteners. The interdisciplinary approach presented invigorates a close collaboration between architects and engineers throughout the design process, intertwining simultaneously the benefits of an excellent static system with a striking spatial experience.

Key words: Timber folded plate structure, Skeleton-based spatial shell, Segmented timber shell, Form-finding, Geometry optimization, Integrative design, Structural design, Modular system

Students: Xavier Almanza, Bindhuja Ameerpet, Imma Bigas, Cristian Cabezas, Miguel Cruz, André Almeida, Robert Fuse, Nerea Gardner Egusquizaga, Shylesh Kumar, Adriana Moreno, Anna Nasrallah, Nayib Perez, Vijithendra Thejaswi R V, Arshita Ravindranathan, Mariona Rodríguez Majoral, Abiodun Afolabi Shonibare

Faculty: Gerard Bertomeu, Dragos Naicu, Marc Serra, Alex Solà, Enrique Soriano, Pep Tornabell, with the invited international experts: Julian Lienhard, Almudena Majano, Antonio Lara.

Pictures: Andrés Flajszer, Mariona Rodríguez, Adriana Moreno

Industrial: Spirafix, Mancha, Sumeplast, Laserpenta, Gabarró, Solanellas