Timber Pavilion at Wissenscampus Campus in Kuchl, Austria

In spring 2025, an innovative timber membrane pavilion was erected on the campus of the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences in Kuchl, Austria. The project is based on the FLEXGrid structural system developed by Austrian start-up Beyond Bending, a novel, patented structural principle for tensioned timber grid shells. Flat, prefabricated timber lamellas made of local silver fir were elastically deformed on site and connected to form a spatial structure, which was then covered with a textile membrane. The resulting free-form architecture impresses with its low material consumption, high design quality, and complete dismantlability.

The structural design was carried out using a fully parametric process chain. The starting point was a target area that was modeled using Rhino/Grasshopper and directly linked to RFEM 6 and RWIND 2. Thus, it was possible to quickly generate a verifiable, constructible structural model. The digital workflow included form-finding, structure generation, wind load calculation using CFD simulation, and design according to Eurocode guidelines.

The project not only presents the potential of digital design and production methods in timber structures, but also a sustainable, recyclable approach to temporary architecture. The pavilion has a modular structure, is easy to assemble and dismantle, and can be reused at another location without any loss of quality or material.