This bird-watching pavilion was designed in collaboration between architect Jesús Vassallo and graduate students at Rice University. Dubbed the ‘Owl Deck Pavilion,’ the structure is located in Huston, Texas, and showcases the potential of cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels as a sustainable and carbon-negative building material. CLT panels were used in their “purest” form in the construction to emphasize the material’s effortless assembly and structural behavior. The functional bird-watching pavilion seeks to attract more visitors to the university’s Harris Gully Natural Area. The paired-back design of the structure blends seamlessly with the natural environment.
Additionally, through the collaboration with Jesús Vassallo, the project presented invaluable learning opportunities for the students who now, undoubtedly, understand more about mass timber construction techniques.