UNI - Treehouse Journal

● What was the concept behind the project? ( words)

Childhood memories aren’t a universally shared experience, as we instead must draw upon anecdotal activities, trips, gatherings to cultivate a range rather than a definitive reflection of childhood fun and nostalgia. Case in point, the treehouse interestingly doesn't appear to be one such staple for youth around the world. Whether it's the environment that isn’t permitting, the housing or property limited, or legality of constructing one, some youth may have never known the appeal of treehouses. Even when reflecting on what childhood experiences within our group there are few constants and ample variation with not only what was experienced, but what we found enjoyable. However, inciting a certain childlike curiosity and yearning to be within the shade of the brush and forest there are emotions with sight, atmosphere, traversal, and exercise. Save for a select few regions, trees play a role in just about every culture and subsequent youths in said cultures, whether so from the beginning it was ingrained within us to invoke the vernacular and natural formation of trees.

In light of this, the trajectory that we wished to propel with our concept was to incorporate treehouse adjacent activities and motifs that when combined have something to offer from any childhood, incorporated within our design choices, orientation, and overall formation of our units. From tree climbing, bird watching, and peering into tree hollows for critters, our treehouse allows the occupants to reenact childhood activities or relive these experiences from an inverse perspective as they become the birds roosting above. Accompanied with modern architectural motifs, we attempted to construct units that calls to a certain playfulness of hiding, climbing,  and observing within the bountifulness of the forest.

● What was the intent behind the organization of elements across various levels (Architectural, Site,Urban)? ( words)

The most predominant architectural element is our facade, which from our initial objective of taking inspiration from tree biology is invokative of bark, from their lines and plates we bunched them in groups with a curvature along the height of the building like a massive trunk. There are also the holes that are scattered along the facade, revealing beneath it a semi-circle curtain wall that resembles sap and heartwood protected by the bark facade. Along it are branch decors, providing a bit of secrecy and reminiscing of tree climbing within a nest of wood which can still be peered out of as though the occupants are birds.

With regards to the site, the observed scatteredness of the trees became the basis for our units’ placement, in loosely defined neighbourhood clusters in the north and south ends of the site, oriented slightly randomly. 

● How many iterations were tried to arrive at the final outcome? ( words)

The iterative process we underwent was more akin to mixing and matching. From a base floorplan we branched out to conjure four facades along with four glass patterns and two floor plans, which resulted in a myriad of potential combinations which we mismatched and appraised individually. The building envelope and method of moving between floors was a point of contention at one point. While juggling the facade and walls we owed much of our complexity to what was decorative rather than formally enamoring. The tandem finally found balance when we conceptually tied the simple floor plan to a bird box, with the trunk like facade, with hollows, burls and grooves supplement the aesthetic. The distinct iterations numbered at around five before finally arriving at the branch  glass decor and curving wood panels that became our final.

● Which methods of design investigation? ( words)

We first let ourselves be enveloped in whatever forestry is near us, to help consolidate what elements and experiences we want to share and represent within our building. From there we listed various buildings that came to mind , including a few treehouses found online, and even the Beijing National stadium which resembles a bird's nest. We then experimented within Rhino and Grasshopper to digitally fabricate patterns resembling branches, plates, and layered brickwork. The investigation into these structures led to some interesting discoveries involving projection and construction of plating from nurbs meshes. 

● How was the programme condensed into final? ( words)

With the solidified exterior design, the interior programme was cultivated to compliment the openings and offer the best seats and viewing experience out the ample curtain walls, windows, and balconies. The seating arrangements and even bed is arranged such that they’re facing or at least welcome to look about the forest below or the landscape and horizon. From the immediate hilly terrain and beyond to the mountains in the distance, we recognized early on that we want to have our layout oriented to better capitalize on the viewing pleasure. This isn’t to disregard the other amenities, for the kitchen but to a lesser extent the bathroom while pulled farther from the seating arrangements still have the curtain walls within viewing distance of them. 

● What/How were the materials chosen? ( words)

Wood, mostly red cedar, was chosen for its size and organic colour, which as we found through light passage in rendered views was incredibly complimentary to the evening sky and setting sun. The structural elements of the building where outlined with painted wood, the colour scheme of which was decided upon a consensus of interior design pallets. Additionally, we tried whenever possible to incorporate glass and birchwood for the non-load bearing elements. 

● How was a specific objective attempted to be met? ( words)

Our overarching objective of   was  an ensemble of various organic elements, either through the material use or the formal qualities resembling the 

● What is the expansion plan of the project? ( words)

The simplest trajectory to further expand the project would be to array out   the modular units and shared pavilions further, but to do it perpetuity would certainly lead to staleness and betrays our initial goal to incite exploration and curiosity. The larger expansion of our project would see if possible the multitude of iterations we had fully realized as different typologies, mimicking the diversity of trees within the site and country. Not only that, but as the interconnectivity of the forest and its species became known to us in study, we wish to incorporate this idea in construction by having networks of pavilions that serve as communal, shared spaces for visitors. 

● How will the project transform with the passing time? Etc. ( words)

While no doubt the project is to be maintained, the implication for prolonged exposure to nature is interesting. The design intent to have our treehouse assimilate with the environment can be further implied with the potential reception of local foliage via seeds or welcoming vines.