Treehouse

LOC was presented with a modest two bedroom bungalow nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Constrained by a small backyard and a mature protected oak tree in the front, the only possibility for adding two additional bedrooms was to create a second story, one that was constrained by but ultimately become a paean to the tree. Alex Staniloff A house is typically not designed to support the load of a second story, so the project was envisioned as a bridge spanning from a new dining room at the rear to a false front facade, thus floating effortlessly above the existing house. Alex Staniloff The home as approached from the street. Alex Staniloff A close-up of the false front facade with a large concrete foundati... More

YOUNA Nature Resort – our latest hospitality concept – consists of flexible treehouses immersed in the European Alpine Region. Spectrum Referencing the idea of ‘a treehouse without a tree’, the design imitates both the archetype gable roof of a traditional tree house and the proportion of the tree it sits on. This results in a vertical pitched structure encompassing spaces that are elevated from the ground on a shrunken footprint – just like the trunk of a tree. Spectrum The treehouses are wrapped in a timber exoskeleton that reinforces the structure while creating a modular interior build-up and layout. This allows for exceptional customization, including number of floors, outdoor/indoor spaces, an... More

Treehouses, design cabins, forest huts, glampings - the long-lasting popularity of exciting accommodations is not surprising; many of us want to leave behind the noise of the city from time to time and get closer to nature. Modern treehouses - which take the children’s tree platforms to a whole new level - provide this experience. We can retreat in a canopy-level house or a cabin with legs to watch the wildlife of the quiet forest, listen to the rustle of leaves or immerse ourselves in the view unfolding before us. Caption Hello Wood’s newest cabin, the Wauhaus, rises above the ground with the help of its long legs. After the futuristic WorkStation and the minimalist Kabinka, the Wauhaus makes new cabin dreams come true. T... More

Treehouse is located in the town of Ubud, at the heart of the island of Bali. Surrounded by jungle to the sides and rice terraces in the front, this suite from the boutique hotel Stonehouse, stands five meters above the ground thanks to its 14 centimeter diameter and 8 meter long bamboo pillars.   Tree House’s ceiling is made from 3 centimeter wide x  2.5 centimeter thick x 4 meter long  bamboo splits, creating a gridshell that derives its strength from its double curvature. The overall shape shows the integration of architecture and environment, and the relationship between space and nature.   The interior floor is also made from bamboo splits that smoothly transitions into a wooden terrace. This moment in the... More

The New York City-based architectural and design studio Architensions has completed Children’s Playspace, an 875-square-foot innovative indoor playground located in Brooklyn, New York. The space hinges on a series of plywood structures that playfully abstract elements of nature, recalling movement through woodland forts, dappled light streaming through trees, and the glow of the sun reflecting off of snow.   The playground was commissioned by a Brooklyn-based wellness professional with expertise in yoga and childcare who desired an indoor environment for creative, collective play for a small group of children. Architensions looked to the natural world to create the framework for the space, as well as to influential precedents i... More

We believe in designing for all and designing for a cause. Located North of Austin, this special campus for children with Autism is a safe haven where kids are encouraged to grow through learning, creating, and playing. Inspired by the idea of intentional and playful wandering, our design aimed to celebrate unique ways that each individual child learns to wander through life. With a tight budget, we knew we had to get creative. We did so with great honor and care in order to bring this local family’s passion project to life.   Sensory well being was at the forefront of all design conversations, ensuring every element encouraged children to explore surroundings while not feeling overwhelmed. To achieve this, we utilized biophili... More

As a recognized global leader in multiple enterprise technology markets, Appian needed their Northern Virginia headquarters to reflect a fresh, collaborative approach to office work while still reflecting their strength as an industry leader. Appian’s Agile teams of 6-8 people work in two-week “sprints” to solve specific problems or tasks with everyone participating in morning “stand-up” meetings. Every two weeks, the teams reconfigure to work on new solutions. All of this requires ultimate flexibility in space layout, furniture and mindset.   The Agile work model was a perfect fit for Appian’s software developers and technology experts and CRTKL adapted the layout, finishes and spaces accordingly.... More

Treehouse Shed is part of a masterplan that manages stormwater, creates habitat for indigenous species, and selectively embraces trees thereby preserving the quality of the community. Our strategy saved the existing building, preserve the site and the existing trees contributed to the preservation of the neighborhood history.   The Shed itself augments the existing building. Built without a garage, and without an amenity such as a walk-out basement, the house lacked the means for practical storage of maintenance equipment and other items.   The homeowner desired a freestanding shed that would accommodate equipment such as garden hoses, tools, a wheelbarrow, and bicycles. The zoning restrictions on the site were strict; combine... More

Originally the plan was to build a treehouse with the pupils. After disussions with the mayor of the village, he ment that something 'proper' should be built. The Mayor offered a plot behind the existing school. The whole scholars and some volunteers helped together, to build this external class. This building project had been part of the curriculum and was ment to be part of their personal future development.    Material Used: 1. Timber (from local forest) / Construction and walls, floor and ceiling More

The clients are a collective of young parents who have lived in Dubai since the 1980s, and who are proud to call this city their home. Passionate about spaces that engage, educate, and empower children, that spark creativity, trigger imagination and growth at the same time. Their mission is to create a destination for children and their parents that commences as a medium in order to be happier, more creative, more imaginative, better informed, more inspired, more aware, more balanced, and more amazed.   The task at hand required Sneha Divias Atelier to envision and create a space where children can gather and harness creativity while deriving inspiration from a sculptural tree house, in an environment that is conceptual and entices c... More

Extensive refurbishment and interiors fit out of a central london flat in a mansion block originally constructed at the turn of the last century. The works included substantial structural modifications altering the flat's layout and introducing new services.   Questions and Answers What was the brief? The flat had been vacant for some time, with the last owner having lived there for almost 40 years, during which time no discernible works or modernization had occurred. The flat was in need of extensive works including new services (electrical & plumbing).   Our client, a couple with two teenage children (both at or starting university) were downsizing from a large house. They wanted to transform the existing 4 bed flat in... More