Forest of the Senses: From Timber Pieces to Immersive Experience

As part of the 2026 London Festival of Architecture, Forest of the Senses by Giles Miller Studio transformed the Reddie showroom in Clerkenwell into an immersive timber installation that invited visitors to engage with design through sight, touch, sound, scent and taste.

Created through a collaboration between Teulo, Giles Miller Studio, Glenalmond Timber and Abodo®, the event explored the relationship between materiality, craftsmanship and human connection.

Precision Craftsmanship

The journey began with the fabrication of hundreds of precision-machined timber components by Glenalmond Timber. Using responsibly sourced Abodo Vulcan® timber, each individual piece was carefully cut and finished to exact specifications, translating the complex geometries developed by Giles Miller Studio into buildable elements.

The project demonstrated the potential of modern timber manufacturing, where advanced digital fabrication techniques allow intricate forms to be produced with remarkable consistency and accuracy. While each component was individually simple, together they formed the building blocks of a much larger sculptural vision.

Bringing the Forest to Life

At Giles Miller Studio, these individual timber elements were assembled into a series of striking sculptural forms inspired by the natural rhythms and textures of a forest environment.

The installation reinterpreted the idea of trees through a contemporary artistic lens, creating structures that changed in appearance as visitors moved through the space.

The layered timber forms celebrated both the beauty of the material and the possibilities of precision manufacturing.

An Evening of Conversation and Connection

The installation was officially unveiled on 4 June. Architects, designers and industry professionals gathered within the sculptural forest for an evening of discussion, networking, and sensory exploration.

Visitors were encouraged not only to observe the sculptures but also to touch them, creating a tactile connection with the natural material and the craftsmanship behind each piece.

Completing the evening a panel discussion featuring Giles Miller, Daniel Gudsell (Abodo), and Alex Webb (Glenalmond) facilitated by Caroline Olah (Reddie Design), explored the role of material innovation, craftsmanship and collaboration in contemporary design. Set within the installation itself, the conversation highlighted how designers, manufacturers and suppliers can work together to create meaningful experiences that connect people with natural materials.

Forest of the Senses demonstrated what can be achieved when creative vision, advanced manufacturing and sustainable timber come together, the project showcased timber not simply as a building material, but as a medium for experience, connection and design innovation.