Spira Silva Mixed Use

Spira Silva is driven by the idea that a single mass-timber element—an ordinary CLT panel—can transform the typology of the high-rise when its innate ability to bend and twist is embraced rather than restrained. The design draws inspiration from research on self-shaping timber, where controlled moisture reduction produces predictable curvature. By allowing the material to form itself, the building’s structure, form, and spatial experience emerge naturally from the properties of wood.

The main focus was to explore how timber’s natural responsiveness could produce a new architectural vocabulary for tall buildings—one that is materially efficient, low-carbon, and experientially rich. We wanted to show that mass timber can rise beyond its typical use in mid-rise buildings and become a catalyst for innovation in skyscraper design.

Beyond its conceptual exploration, the intention for Spira Silva is to share the project with a larger audience—through competitions, publications, and research forums—to inspire and inform the future of timber construction.

The idea behind Spira Silva’s twisted CLT system originated during our visit to a timber manufacturing plant in Spokane. Observing CLT production up close, we were struck by how standardized, planar, and repetitive the material typically is in high-rise construction. Yet, at the same time, we noticed subtle warping that naturally occurs as moisture content changes across the grain.This observation led us to ask a simple question: What if this natural tendency could be harnessed rather than corrected? From that moment, the design began with a single CLT panel, and we explored how controlled rotation and calibrated deformation could produce curvature without forcing the material. Through physical prototypes and digital simulations, that single panel evolved into a repeatable module capable of defining both structure and façade, eventually becoming the generator for Spira Silva’s entire architectural language.

Spira Silva’s form translates the qualities of natural growth into an urban high-rise condition. The tower’s twisting geometry emulates the tapering and expansion you find in organic structures, while the CLT surface gives the building a warm, tactile presence that contrasts with the industrial waterfront context.Placed along the Williamsburg shoreline, the twisted panels open and close strategically to bring daylight deep into the interiors, create terraces, and frame views of the river. In this way, the form and material work together to blur the boundary between natural and built environments, suggesting a future for Brooklyn where sustainable construction and biophilic design coexist at the scale of the skyline.

Because the twisting geometry needed to be both expressive and structurally feasible, parametric tools played a crucial role. We built a Grasshopper-based system that allowed us to control rotation angles, panel spacing, and curvature based on structural constraints and daylighting performance.This parametric model was linked to simplified structural analysis tools to evaluate panel bending limits, load paths, and lateral stiffness. By iterating between geometry generation and structural feedback, we achieved a balance: the panels twist enough to create the spatial and aesthetic richness we sought, yet remain within tolerances that CLT fabrication and on-site assembly can handle. The final form is therefore not arbitrary—it’s the outcome of a tightly integrated digital workflow.