Installed in Millennium Park for the 2025 Chicago Architecture Biennial, Re-SPLAM (Reclaimed Spatial Laminated Timber) explores how existing building materials can be reintroduced into structural applications at an architectural scale. Built entirely from reclaimed timber salvaged from Chicago residences, the pavilion positions material reuse as a primary design driver and proposes a scalable, low-carbon alternative to conventional construction methods.
Designed and engineered by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Re-SPLAM builds on the firm’s 2021 Chicago Architecture Biennial installation. Reflecting the 2025 Biennial’s theme, SHIFT: Architecture in Times of Radical Change, the pavilion extends SOM’s research into sustainable materials and structural efficiency by incorporating circular economy principles through the use of timber salvaged from homes across Chicago.
Structural concept and performance
On view in the South Boeing Gallery through February 28, 2026, the 16-by-20-foot canopy serves as a proof of concept for a structural system made entirely from upcycled wood. Its optimized design delivers performance comparable to conventional reinforced concrete slabs at approximately one-fifth of the weight.
“Re-SPLAM challenges the assumption that salvaged wood is fit only for decoration or disposal and offers a structurally viable alternative that rivals conventional concrete systems,” said SOM Design Partner Scott Duncan. “By stacking readily available 2x4 framing of various ages and species into a three-dimensional canopy, we’re demonstrating how innovative design and engineering can extend the life of these materials while conserving their carbon-sequestering benefits.”
Timber research and material efficiency
As part of SOM’s ongoing research into sustainable timber systems, the original SPLAM pavilion explored a lightweight alternative to conventional cross-laminated timber, reducing material use by 46 percent while utilizing smaller, more readily available elements. Re-SPLAM builds on this work by using exclusively reclaimed 2×4s, each with unique imperfections and varying degrees of structural capacity, demonstrating how material variability can be addressed through thoughtful design.
Reflecting on how the installation embodies this year’s curatorial theme, Biennial Artistic Director Florencia Rodriguez said: “It captures the essence of SHIFT: Architecture in Times of Radical Change by showing how reclaimed materials can drive new spatial and structural possibilities. SOM’s installation demonstrates how rethinking what we already have can open pathways to more responsible and imaginative forms of architecture.”
Collaborative construction and fabrication
Developed in collaboration with students from Washington University in St. Louis’ Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, and constructed by the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council and Norcon using materials donated by the Rebuilding Exchange and Simpson Strong-Tie, the installation demonstrates an innovative structural design driven by computational tools.
Each timber element was measured and cataloged to determine optimal placement based on material properties while minimizing cutting and waste, reducing the assembly’s overall weight. The system redirects salvaged wood typically destined for disposal or low-grade reuse, extending material lifespan and retaining sequestered carbon.
The Chicago Architecture Biennial brings together international practitioners to explore ideas and imagine future directions for architecture and design. Its exhibitions, talks, performances, films, and public programs engage global issues while emphasizing creativity and public participation. Free and open to the public, the Biennial is North America’s largest international survey of contemporary architecture and design.
Since 2015, the Biennial has produced five editions featuring more than 400 projects from 40 countries and welcoming over 2.2 million visitors to events and exhibitions across Chicago. From Sullivan and Wright to contemporary practitioners, it reinforces the city’s long-standing role in architectural experimentation, public discourse, and inclusive design.
“As we mark the Biennial’s tenth year, Re-SPLAM exemplifies the kind of innovative work that has defined our legacy from the beginning," said Biennial Co-Chair and Director of the Graham Foundation Sarah Herda. "SOM continues the Biennial’s tradition of showcasing design innovation that can meaningfully shape the future of architecture.”
Structural optimization and assembly
The pavilion’s structure is composed of stacked layers of reclaimed framing lumber, forming a spatially laminated canopy supported by four columns. Computational tools informed structural performance and assembly efficiency, ensuring effective load distribution while reducing overall weight. Fastening systems allow precise assembly without permanent bonding, supporting both structural integrity and future disassembly.
As an open-air installation, the pavilion operates without mechanical systems, lighting, or climate control, resulting in negligible operational energy demand. Maintenance requirements are minimal, relying on timber durability and straightforward detailing. The absence of finishes and complex services further limits service-related emissions over the installation’s lifespan.
Disassembly and future reuse
Re-SPLAM is conceived as a reversible structure. Standard timber dimensions and mechanical connections enable disassembly, reuse, or reconfiguration after the exhibition period. This positions the pavilion as a test case for scalable construction systems capable of integrating reclaimed materials into future architectural applications.
Located near landmarks such as Jaume Plensa’s Crown Fountain, the pavilion contributes to Millennium Park’s role as a site for architectural experimentation. The project extends SOM’s long-standing engagement with the park, which the firm originally master-planned, while offering visitors direct access to ongoing research into low-carbon construction methods.
More broadly, Re-SPLAM prompts discussion around circularity in commercial construction and the implications of introducing reclaimed materials at scale. The project questions established industry practices and points toward adaptive, circular construction approaches shaped by local conditions and global climate imperatives.
