aborescence

Finalist - TATA - Triumph Architectural Tree house Award

A tree house designed for a professional city couple seeking a break from busy urban life by creating a tree house that appreciates and connects with nature. The site is situated in a picturesque landscape on the northeast coast of Australia, offering breathtaking views of the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Nature is revealed in all its vastness, while the retreat itself remains modest and spiritual. The tree house serves as an escape to paradise, where one ascends to the tree tops, altering perception and quieting the mind.

The tree house features a main trunk and an arrangement of branched timbers forming a distinctive elevated crown, resembling a ‘Capitulum.’ The structure takes shape by mirroring the surrounding tree tops and seamlessly blending into the natural environment. The ten-meter elevated platform is supported by horizontal beams and four tree-like columns firmly planted in the ground. It is topped with a sloped copper roof, designed to collect rainwater. The primary trunk-ed supports are accompanied by two Eucalyptus trees on-site, acting as secondary supports and connecting the bridge. Floating support brackets provide flexibility, allowing the trees to sway in the wind without causing damage.

Eucalyptus Grandis (Rose Gum or Flooded Gum) has been selected for its high-grade quality, consistent grain aesthetics, and ease of use. Rose Gum is a fast-growing hardwood timber, particularly productive in forestry plantations when grown in favorable environments.

To access the upper level, a spiral staircase leads to the tree tops, where a timber bridge connects to the main entrance. As one approaches, a captivating landscape begins to illuminate. Circulation, copper screens, and the elevated platform work harmoniously to create a powerful window to nature. Exposed timber and a central roof skylight provide the interior with an intriguing interplay of filtered light and shadow. Sleeping, resting, and meditation occur centrally, while services are arranged externally to support efficient use of space, unobstructed views, natural ventilation, and solar access.

Treehouse plan