The Ligna pavilion is an experimental, 100% wooden building. It incorporates the logic and behavior of natural growth models with architecture to generate the structure of the pavilion. Algorithmic design methods were used to control and integrate the design and manufacturing processes.

The structure of the pavilion is based on digitally grown trees with the use of three-dimensional L-system (also known as Lindenmayer system) on a base surface that defines the overall form. The complex structure consists of 324 individual birch beams in 4 section sizes with 487 connections. No two beams are alike.

The digital model of the generated pavilion was transferred to computerized machinery at Woodpolis’ premises at Kuhmo, Finland. The wooden beams were manufactured with a Hundekker K2 CNC-miller during the course of a single day. The pavilion was first assembled at Ligna-fair in Hannover, Germany, after which it was transferred to the architectural department’s courtyard at the University of Oulu.