Student Work

Course Description

TIMBER WAVE

Students: UW Architecture x StructureCraft
Studio: ARCH 505 — Tyler Sprague — Spring 2025
Location: Seattle, Washington

Project Description

The Timber Wave pavilion celebrates the union of architecture and structural engineering while highlighting the strength and versatility of Washington-grown timber. Designed by graduate architecture students in the Barry Onouye Endowed Studio, the project responds to questions of sustainability, reuse, and craftsmanship. Inspired by a Leonardo da Vinci sketch, the pavilion demonstrates how simple modules can achieve remarkable spans and forms—without the need for scaffolding or temporary supports.

Plan and section Drawing.

Constructed entirely from donated Douglas Fir and Hemlock lumber, the pavilion employs a modular reciprocal system where each “W” shaped unit both supports and is supported by its neighbors. This method makes use of the timber’s natural bending during construction, which then settles into a stable compressive vault. With minimal cutting and reversible screws, the design preserves the reusability of the material while creating an elegant structural rhythm.

Final W Module.

 

The result is a series of five interlaced arches, rising over nine feet and spanning more than twenty-eight feet, that merge into a continuous wooden wave. Visitors can sit along integrated bench seating, explore the central opening to the sky, and even assemble miniature modules themselves. The Timber Wave invites curiosity, tactile interaction, and a deeper appreciation for sustainable building practices rooted in local resources.

Physical Model Study.

 

Perspective photo.

 

Images from RAINER BEACH FOOD HALL.