RESEARCH
Status: Ongoing (Since 09.2025)
Researcher: Juris Strangots, architect, MArch (AHO)
Supervisor: Prof. Yves Weinand, architect and engineer, IBOIS
ABSTRACT
The multilayer interlocked roundwood wall system investigates how small-diameter timber, typically excluded from contemporary construction processes, can be organized into a structurally coherent and performative wall assembly. While roundwood construction often focuses on larger trunks, this research addresses thinner, more widely available material that is currently underutilized.
The system is based on a hexagonal–triangular geometric grid that governs the positioning and interlocking of stacked logs. Each roundwood element is milled with a cogwheel-like profile that allows mechanical engagement between adjacent layers. When arranged in two or more layers, this interlocking logic increases contact surface and extends seam length across the wall section, contributing to improved airtightness and thermal resistance without additional fastening systems.
A central challenge addressed by the project is wood movement caused by humidity variation. The joint geometry is developed to accommodate shrinkage and expansion while maintaining structural stability. One of the long-term ambitions of the research is to enable construction using wet wood, reducing the need for pre-drying and allowing more direct use of freshly harvested small-diameter timber.
The system is conceived for digital manufacturing and on-site assembly. Profile geometries are generated computationally and milled using CNC or robotic fabrication tools. The wall is assembled through dry stacking, enabling reversibility and potential disassembly.
The project is currently in an early experimental phase. Initial 1:1 prototypes have been fabricated and are being monitored to study shrinkage behavior, joint performance, and airtightness. Through iterative prototyping and material testing, the research aims to develop a scalable wall typology suited for small-diameter roundwood in contemporary construction.
