The Armadillo | unknown works

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.

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.