Lake Flato and Structurecraft Unveil Curved DLT Pavilion at Oregon Timber Conference

Architecture firm Lake Flato and engineering company Structurecraft have created an experimental pavilion using dowel-laminated timber (DLT) for the Mass Timber Conference in Portland, Oregon. The structure, measuring 20 by 30 feet, features a bending-active shell system that departs from traditional rectilinear mass timber construction. DLT, a material originally developed in Germany during the 1970s and 1980s, uses hardwood dowels to join softwood slats without nails or glue, relying on friction. The panels are flexible during assembly, allowing them to be shaped into curved forms before becoming rigid. The pavilion was shipped flat and assembled on site, with walls fitted into pre-routed tracks in the ceiling. Lake Flato associate partner Ryan Yaden highlighted the environmental benefits of the friction-based system and described the forms as combining practicality with visual appeal. Structurecraft vice president Lucas Epp noted this marks the first use of a bending-active system with timber shells, increasing structural efficiency. The installation was displayed at the conference from March 31 to April 1, where it attracted attention from attendees including architect Kengo Kuma. The collaboration aims to demonstrate the scalability of DLT technology, which the firms have previously used in an Austin hotel project. This innovation occurs as building codes evolve to accommodate mass timber, with recent projects by Studio Gang and Grafton Architects also advancing the material's applications.