computational design for timber

spiral temple

type: timber architecture
role: computational designer
collaboration: Estudio Guto Requena
location: Sao Paulo, Brazil
year: 2023

The spiral temple was developed in collaboration with Estudio Guto Requena, and my role in this project was to create conceptual and schematic drawings for a Buddhist temple. The concept was inspired by a clockwise spiral shell, symbolizing the dharma radiating in all directions and representing awakening and truth.

The design process began with a Fibonacci curve that defined an 80 sqm area for the temple, accommodating 20 yoga mats, an altar for the lama, and storage for yoga equipment. Two ellipses were created: one for the skylight and another to adjust the structure’s height and shape. These ellipses were lofted to form the base surface and divided into segments of 8, referencing the eight symbols of Buddhism. Operations like dispatch, rotation and loft were applied to undulate the surface, mimicking a spiral shell. Finally, the geometry was split into 5 cm layers, simulating the self-supporting timber layers to be CNC-milled and stacked.

design process

The Fibonacci curve was used to enclose 80 sqm (grey area)

The layout includes 20 yoga mats, an altar, and a bench/storage

Skylight and a loft between the three curves create the base surface

Divide the surface into multiples of 8 (8 symbols of Buddhism)

Rotation generates a wave-like effect in the form

CNC-milled self-supporting timber layers designed to hold a green roof

schematics drawings

renders

team

creative director: Guto Requena
architectural coordinator: Mariana Chemin
architects: Camila Golçalves and Camila Calegari Marques
parametric modelling: Camila Calegari Marques