GNW Pavilion

The GNW Pavilion is a unique sculpture designed by architects Perkins+Will.

The hybrid timber-steel structure resembles a lotus flower.Home to a coffee shop, it provides the students of Emily Carr University an inspiring gathering place.Throughout the entire project RJC worked closely with Spearhead as part of an integrated design team.

Facilitated by digital modelling, Spearhead and RJC developed a unique, yet simple structure to support this complex shape.

Digital modelling was further utilized to maximize the benefits of prefabrication, economize shipping and the structure’s assembly.

The digital model was also utilized to drive the CNC machinery which cut all the individual pieces.The principal structure consists of five inner petals constructed of curved glulam members and seven glazing columns that support a hybrid timber-steel dome.The five outer curved petals were sculpted from engineered wood and are supported on the lower dome and petals.The complete structure was fabricated from approximately 40 prefabricated sections comprised of over 7,000 individual pieces of wood and steel, all cut with tight tolerances from CNC machinery.