Commercial Facilities
Wana Pavilion
Jabon Glulam Long-Span Structure Engineered for a Coastal Marina Gateway
Architect
2M Associates
year
2026
location
Indonesia, Bali
size
44 m²
The Brief
Project Overview
Gapura Marina Bali is a Marina gateway in Benoa, Bali, designed by 2M Associates as a large, open structure shaped by its coastal setting.
The architecture called for generous spans, sweeping curved roof lines, and an exposed timber structure that could remain visually light despite its scale. Woodlam was appointed to deliver the complete structural and architectural timber package, from engineering and fabrication to installation.
The result is a Jabon glulam structure that allows the architecture to span wide and curve freely, while integrating the roof, ceiling, glazing, and door systems into one coordinated build.
Objective
The objective was to realise a large-span timber structure that could respond to a high-exposure coastal environment while preserving the architectural intent through:
Long-span structural members with minimal visual interruption
Curved roof geometry expressed through engineered Jabon glulam
Structural performance designed around coastal wind exposure
Integrated fabrication and installation for efficient site execution
Coordinated timber, ceiling, glazing, roofing, and door systems
The Constraints
Coastal Wind Exposure
Located directly along the coastline of Benoa, the structure is exposed to significant wind forces. The structural system therefore required detailed analysis and member sizing to respond to the site's environmental conditions.
Long Structural Spans
The architecture demanded substantial open spans, with approximately 10-metre spacing between columns. This required the glulam members to carry significant loads while maintaining the openness of the design.
12-Metre Curved Purlins
The curved purlins span approximately 12 metres, making them one of the defining structural elements of the project. Achieving this geometry required the curvature, member dimensions, and structural behaviour to be resolved together rather than treated as separate design considerations.
Coordinated Building Systems
The project extended beyond the primary glulam frame. The structural package had to coordinate with the VPanel Meranti ceiling, bitumen roofing, glazing, and door systems, requiring close integration between Woodlam's structural and architectural components.
The Engineering
Long-Span Jabon Glulam
Jabon glulam forms the primary structural system, allowing the project to achieve substantial spans while retaining the warmth and visual expression of exposed timber.
12-Metre Curved Purlins
The curved purlins were engineered to achieve an approximately 12-metre span while following the project's sweeping roof geometry. Their scale demonstrates how engineered timber can be used to turn complex architectural curves into structurally resolved members.
Wind Load Consideration
The structural design accounted for the project's exposed coastal position and associated wind loading. Member sizing, structural configuration, and connections were developed to respond to the demands of the site.
Structural Geometry Optimisation
The combination of long spans, wide column spacing, and curved members required structural analysis to balance performance with architectural proportion. Rather than limiting the geometry to conventional timber dimensions, the glulam system was designed around the intended architectural form.
The Products and Materials
The Results and Insights
Long Spans Without Losing Timber's Expression
The project demonstrates how Jabon glulam can deliver substantial structural spans while keeping timber at the centre of the architectural expression.
Curvature Engineered Into the Structure
The approximately 12-metre curved purlins show that curved timber geometry does not have to be treated as a purely aesthetic feature. With the right engineering approach, the curve can become part of the structural logic itself.
Coastal Conditions Met Through Design
Working directly on the coast required the structure to respond to significant environmental exposure, reinforcing the importance of engineering timber according to its actual site conditions rather than treating it as a standard material application.
Four Weeks from Shell to Roof
Through prefabricated fabrication and coordinated site installation, the shell structure was completed in approximately two weeks, followed by another two weeks for the roof structure.
The four-week structural installation period demonstrates how engineering and prefabrication can translate complex timber geometry into an efficient site process.
One Integrated Timber Ecosystem
From structural glulam and VPanel ceilings to glazing and door systems, the project brought multiple building components together through Woodlam's integrated manufacturing and sister-company network.
Gapura Marina Bali demonstrates how engineered timber can move beyond individual structural elements to become a coordinated building system.
Location
Indonesia, Bali
Benoa, Bali, INDONESIA
Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question unanswered? Speak to our team.
Why was glulam selected for Gapura Marina Bali?
Glulam allows structural timber members to be engineered for larger dimensions and longer spans than conventional solid timber, making it suitable for the project's wide column spacing and curved roof geometry.
How long are the curved purlins?
The project's curved purlins span approximately 12 metres. Their geometry and structural requirements were resolved through detailed engineering and fabrication.
How wide is the column spacing?
The main structural grid reaches approximately 10 metres between columns, creating the open spatial character required by the marina gateway.
How long did the structural installation take?
The shell structure was installed in approximately two weeks, followed by approximately two weeks for the roof structure, bringing the total structural installation period to around four weeks.