Town Enclosure / CLB Architects

Architects: CLB Architects
Area: 2,125 ft²
Year: 2018
Photography: Matthew Millman, Cody Brown, Krafty Photos, Tuck Fauntleroy
Lead Architects: Eric Logan, Forrest Britton, Sam Ankeny
Landscape: MountainScapes LLC
Structural Engineer: KL&A Inc.
Builder: Premier Powder Coating and Two Oceans Builders
Painting: KWC Inc.
Design: CLB Architects
Other Supporters: Anvil Hotel, Center for the Arts Creative in Residence Program, Center of Wonder, Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, Dembergh Construction, Western Trust, Altamira Gallery, MountainSpaces, Nelson Engineering
City: Bozeman, Montana (formerly located in Jackson, Wyoming)
Country: United States

Town Enclosure, designed by CLB Architects, is a 2018 art installation initially located in Jackson, Wyoming, and later moved to Bozeman, Montana. Commissioned by Jackson Hole Public Art, it features a circular arrangement of cross-laminated timber panels, inspired by regional symbols like fences and mountain formations. The installation encourages public interaction, functioning both as a communal gathering space and a venue for art. Its innovative design merges sculptural expression with architectural functionality, earning multiple awards for its contribution to public art and community engagement.

Town Enclosure, an innovative art installation created by CLB Architects, was commissioned by Jackson Hole Public Art with the support of the Center for the Arts, local businesses, and private donors. Developed under the Center for the Arts Creative in Residence Program, this installation was designed to serve as both a sculptural art piece and a flexible gathering space. Open to the public, it offers opportunities for a range of activities, from organized performances to spontaneous community interaction.

The installation was first placed in Town Square Park in downtown Jackson, Wyoming, before being relocated to Story Mill Community Park in Bozeman, Montana in 2021. Its design features a 52-foot-diameter circular array of cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels, each standing 13.3 feet tall and varying in width between 7 to 12 feet. Instead of radiating outward from the center, the panels are arranged parallel to each other along the circumference of the circle, leaving inviting spaces between them.

The design draws on local motifs, referencing traditional fences, corrals, and the West Buttress of the Grand Teton, while simultaneously responding to its natural surroundings. The structure’s ability to shift between transparency and opacity, depending on one’s viewpoint, creates a multi-layered experience for visitors. This engagement is heightened as people move through and around the installation, encouraging reflection and interaction.

Town Enclosure has earned widespread acclaim, receiving awards from organizations such as the AIA Western Mountain Region, Americans for the Arts, the Jacques Benedict Award, Architizer A+ Awards, and Rethinking the Future. CLB Architects’ thoughtful design integrates artistic expression with functional public space, creating a unique platform for community involvement and creative exploration.