STAGE 1: TREEHOUSE MAGAZINE A1770016 Thomas Doan
PLACE
LOCATION: BROWN HILL CREEK LOCATION Situated seven kilometres from the Adelaide City Centre, Brownhill Creek is the perfect perfect getaway trip to escape from reality. Also known as Wirraparinga by the Kaurna people, this site follows a long narrow creek which flows through the Adelaide Hills and continues through the Southern suburbs of Adelaide.
SITE ANALYSIS
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Site Location
Road
Creek
Creek walk trail
Shared walk trail
Caravan Park
TOPOGRAPHY
HISTORY
CHARACTERISTICS Brownhill Creek was once a favourite camping, hunting and gathering ground for the Kaurna (Garna) Aboriginal people, who called it Wirraparinga (scrub and camping place). As many as 150 people inhabited the area at one time. The first European to settle in the area was Pastor William Finlayson who arrived in 1837.
Site Hill Creek
Originally, Brownhill creek was inhabited with Kaurna Aboriginal people. However due to the European settlement in 1837 the area which was once inhbatited by upto 150 aboriginals was slowly being taken taken over. Although it is currently declared as a recreation park as of 1972, the condition of the land is still maintained and respected due to the relationship and spiritual connection the Aboriginals have with the land.
WILLAWILLA CREEK
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PLACE
LOCATION: BROWN HILL CREEK
CHARACTERISTICS As the location of the site is situated near the middle of the Brownhill Creek, individuals must travel through the creek walking trail. This serves as an adventure through the site, allowing individuals to experience the natural beauty of Wirraparinga. Following the walking trail there are various naitive trees such as the River Red Gum and the brown Grey Box. Alongside the trail is the Willawilla creek which comforts you throughout the journey with the soft
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POTENTIAL sound of flowing water. Opposite to the creek, the northern view features a huge steep valley which features many naitive plants such as olive trees. At the site you may also experience the sounds of the wildlife, such as the growls of a Koala or the laughing Kookaburra.
Being located in such a vast na Wirraparinga possess some of Adela beautiful vistas. The site has the p becoming iconic tourist attrac plenty of flat land for picnics and hiking the steep valleys to the north of the s soothing creek to the south, the site fu individuals to absorb and embrace surrounding. This allows for a perf destination to escape from reality.
atural site, aide’s most potential to ction with g trails. With site and the ully encloses the nature fect tourist
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DESIGN
CHOSEN TREE AND CONCEPTUAL THINKING CHOSEN TREE
Located at the far West side of th tree stands across the forest area creek. By having the chosen tree mo individuals will build a stronger with the space. This also allows reside as if they’re in an open field, rather clustered forest. Compared to other s eucalyptus trees, my chosen tree’s spread up to 8 metres wide.
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he site, my along the ore isolated, connection ents to feel r than in a surrounding s branches
ANALYSIS The main reason why I chose this tree is due to the strong features it possess. One of these features is the long exposed facade on the East side of the tree trunk (Yellow). This facade creates many opportunities, as it contains lots of space to build upon. Possible opportunities would be to attach a ladder onto the facade, or have a structure be built onto the East side without any branches in the way. Another key feature of my tree are the
strong branches. An example of this would be the long North/North west facing branches which span far out from the trunk (Red). These branches create opportunities for a structure’s base to be built upon.
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DESIGN
TREEHOUSE CONCEPT
EAST ELEVATION SCALE 1:100
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After analysing the tree, the structure of the tree offers 3 possible platforms for the tree house. This being the open East facade, the wide North branches and open space between the top branches. Each platform offers different heights with the bottom base being approximately 2.5m high, middle base being around 6m and the top floor at 9.5m
For my design, windows facing th lighting throughou be situated on the better scenery witho North facades may residents to experie
I plan to have the largest he north side as it gives calmer ut the day. Smaller windows will e East/West side as they feature out direct sunlight. Whilst the South/ y feature a balcony as it will allow the ence the surrounding nature
CONCEPTS As Brownhill Creek is home to various naitive bird species, such as the Adelaide Rosella or the Grey Fantail; my concept is to design a treehouse which will connect residents with the wildlife through living together within the trees. Thus I want my designs to appear similar to a birdhouse, as they are also “tree houses� for the wildlife.
ITERATIONS When designing spaces for my tree houses, many iterations were created. This is important as my tree may feature 3 different platforms, thus playing around with composition and massing will assist in developing a final design. To create harmony between the three floors a similar feature throughout the designs are the circular windows and curvilinear roofs.
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FRAME
TREEHOUSE FRAMING SYSTEM
FRAMING CONCEPT Due to the chosen tree having stronger features such as the wide trunk and branches, my design allows for 3 structures to be built. Therefore the treehouse will feature 3 timber bases which need to be placed specifically to withhold the elements above. Although the timber bases can be held up by the tree, the weight of the treehouses may cause the braches to snap or bend. Thus, stilts will also be implemented into the structure to support the branches.
Support frame by Michael Schneider
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To harmonise the treehouse with the surroundings, the structure will be built with timber. Australian timbers such as Blackwood and Tasmanian Oak are chosen for this project as they reduce the use of Carbon dioxide to transport the timber, whilst also support local workers. The structural systems such as the stilt are also inspired by the neighbouring trees, as the stilts branch out onto the bases.
TREEHOUSES
TIMBER BASES
NORTH VIEW
STILT STRUCTURE
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FRAME
BUILDING STRATERGY AND CONSTRUCTION TREE HOUSE BUILDING STRATERGY
BASE CONSTRUCTION STRATERGY
Laminated Venee
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285x42mm Tasma
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90x35mm Stud F
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4
1. 2. 3. 4.
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300x100mm Blackwood timber 35x90mm Curved Pine Framing 285x42mm Tasmanian Oak 35x90mm Pine Framing
For the base system, the interlock around trunk and bran allows for stu bolted into the Allowing the tim to stay flat and st
STILT STRUCTURE
er Lumber
anian Oak
Framing
framing studs d the tree nches. This uds to be tree; Thus mber flooring turdy.
Custom Welded Steel Stilts
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Pole Anchor joint to concrete foundation
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