Treehouse For All
The first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of a treehouse is trees. For this reason, our treehouse design was based off of a tree cut horizontally through the trunk. We used the shape of tree section to determine the shape of the viewing platform for our treehouse. Therefore, our platform is a very organic circle, that will allow for viewing in all possible directions. We then decided to radiate our wood planks that will comprise our platform from the center of the platform. At the center of the platform, a tree will penetrate through. In this way, the tree upon which we are building our treehouse will become the center of our project and design. The next aspect of the project that we based off of a tree was the variety of different textures throughout our project. We decided to incorporate rough, smooth, soft and hard textures. All of these textures can be found within a tree. We tried to arrange these textures in ways so that as one moves throughout the treehouse, the textures are constantly changing. Certain parts of the platform, where one is supposed to pause will be covered in a soft material, such as cork. Other areas, such as circulation will be made of hard smooth surfaces, promoting movement. As one sits at the benches in the treehouse, you can feel the rough surfaces of the tree that sprouts through the platform. Tall grasses will line either side of the pathway, that leads out to the platform, helping to funnel people to the treehouse.
Concept Images
Treehouse For All
Wheelchair accessiblity and mobility were major influences in our design process for our treehouse. We had to design the treehouse to comfortably accomodate four wheelchairs at a time, ensuring that there was enough space for them to comfortably navigate through the treehouse, without compromising one another’s mobility. All of the circulation around the platform of the treehouse is wide enough for two wheelchairs to pass through at a time. We also had to consider the various heights, which are comfortable for a person who is in a wheelchair. These considerations had to be used in determining handrail heights, table heights, and the height at which views for a person in a wheelchair could be established. In our project we decided to install tables that were wheelchair accessible. This would allow a person in a wheelchair to sit at a picnic table with a group of people, who are not in wheelchairs, and not have to be detached from the group. By incorporating as many of the ADA requirements into our project as possible, we are ensuring that people in wheelchairs will be able to enjoy the treehouse as well. This will be done by observing their needs, and placing them in our design, helping to make this a worry free and relaxing trip to the treehouse.
ADA Guidelines
Treehouse For All
For the design of the treehouse in plan, the basic idea was to make it resemble a tree that had recently been cut down. We tried to orient the wood planks that make up the platform of the treehouse, in a manner that was similiar to that of the rings of a tree. In doing so, we made the planks radiate out from the center of the platform. At the very center of the platform, there is a hole cut in the platform, that would allow a tree to grow up through our design for the treehouse. Finally, the shape of the platform will allow visitors to take in views in all possible directions. This will allow visitors to focus on what they deem interesting in the area, and not just one single view. We felt that incoporating a tree into our design was very significant because without trees we would not have a location to place our treehouse, and we would not have wood, which is the main material to be used in the construction of the tree house. Therefore we decided to make a tree the focal point of our design. The two benches and small table that are incorporated into the covered structure also focus around the tree as the center point. This is so people can enjoy and interact with the tree as they sit and rest within the covered part of the treehouse. On the northeastern side of the covered structure, there is the bamboo chime wall, which will gently make noises at various points, whenever the wind passes over them, or children move them.
Platform Level
Scale : 1/8�= 1’-0�
Treehouse For All
Our design for the roofs of the treehouse is based on practicality. We thought it was necessary to cover certain parts of the platform, while leaving others exposed to the elements. This was done so that people can interact on a personal level, deciding when they wanted to be under a roof, and when they did not. The main area that we wanted to cover with a roof was the picnic area. This is because we did not want people to have to stop their picnic if there was a brief rain shower. Also, by covering the picnic area of the treehouse, we would be providing visitors with shaded areas, in which to rest, during the hot summer months. Next, we covered part of the walkway that connects the platform to the rest of the park. We felt that this might provide an element of surprise, in addition to providing some shelter in the case of a rain storm. By putting a roof on the part of the walkway closest to the platform, we are giving visitors a sense of relief once they reach the large open space of the platform. The large uncovered areas of the platform allows visitors to take in views from various angles, while also allowing them to experience nature first hand. This large open space might even give visitors the feeling that they are actually being suspended out over the hillside.
Roof Level
Scale : 1/8�= 1’-0�
Treehouse For All
The most unique feature of the treehouse is the bamboo chime wall. This wall was designed to be a permeable wall, that would allow winds, and therefore natural ventilation, to pass through the treehouse, helping to keep it cool during the summer months. The chime is also deisgned to be an interactive feature of the treehouse. With the winds moving freely through the treehouse, the chimes would be in motion everytime the wind blew. The chimes are spaced apart, so that when the wind blows through the treehouse, the chimes could clang together and make noise. These bamboo chimes would also have different lengths, resulting in each generating their own unique sounds, when they hit. The chimes would be suspended from the floor and attached to an overhead beam. They would be held in place by pieces of wood at a certain height, that would prevent them from swinging out and hitting someone. These pieces of wood would also act as a handrail on the interior of the platform. The bamboo chime wall is an element of this design that really brings this project to life. Not only would it provide soothing sounds each time that the wind blew, but visitors themselves could even cause the bamboo chimes to hit one other, and could even make their own soundtrack to accompany their trip to the treehouse.
Bamboo Chime Wall
Treehouse For All