A new reclaimed timber pavilion has opened in Chicago’s Millennium Park as part of the 2025 Chicago Architecture Biennial, showcasing how material reuse and advanced structural design can provide a scalable, low-carbon alternative to conventional construction.
Designed and engineered by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the installation—titled Re-SPLAM (Reclaimed Spatial Laminated Timber)—builds on the firm’s earlier SPLAM research and expands it through a circular economy lens. The pavilion is constructed entirely from salvaged two-by-four timber recovered from deconstructed homes across Chicago, transforming what is typically considered waste into a high-performance structural system.
On view in Millennium Park’s South Boeing Gallery through 28 February 2026, the 16-by-20-foot canopy demonstrates how upcycled wood can achieve structural performance comparable to reinforced concrete slabs at approximately one-fifth of the weight. By stacking reclaimed timber into a three-dimensional laminated system, the project challenges long-standing assumptions that salvaged wood is suitable only for decorative or low-grade reuse.
SOM Design Partner Scott Duncan said the pavilion illustrates how thoughtful design and engineering can extend the life of existing materials while preserving their carbon-sequestering benefits. Unlike traditional engineered timber systems, Re-SPLAM embraces material variability—each reclaimed timber element was measured, catalogued, and computationally placed based on its individual properties to minimise waste and cutting.
The installation aligns with the 2025 Biennial theme, “SHIFT: Architecture in Times of Radical Change,” highlighting how rethinking existing resources can unlock new spatial and structural possibilities. Biennial Artistic Director Florencia Rodriguez described the project as a powerful example of how reclaimed materials can drive responsible and imaginative architectural responses to climate change.
Developed in collaboration with students from Washington University in St. Louis’ Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, and built with industry partners using donated materials, the pavilion also serves as a public demonstration of research-driven design. Set on four columns, it creates a 320-square-foot shaded gathering space defined by the rhythm and texture of layered timber overhead.
Beyond its role as an exhibition installation, Re-SPLAM sparks broader discussion about introducing reclaimed materials at scale in commercial construction. By proving that salvaged timber can perform as a primary structural system, the pavilion points toward a future where circular, low-carbon building solutions become a competitive and practical alternative to carbon-intensive materials.
Key Takeaways
- The reclaimed timber pavilion at the 2025 Chicago Architecture Biennial showcases material reuse and low-carbon design.
- Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Re-SPLAM uses salvaged timber from deconstructed homes to create a high-performance structure.
- The pavilion highlights upcycled wood’s structural capabilities, achieving performance comparable to concrete at one-fifth the weight.
- It emphasizes the importance of thoughtful design and engineering in extending the life of materials while addressing climate change.
- Re-SPLAM serves as a public demonstration of reclaimed materials, sparking discussions on sustainable commercial construction.
