STAGE 2: TREEHOUSE MAGAZINE A1770016 - THOMAS DOAN - REPRESENTATION II
CONTENTS PLACE
01
DESIGN
05
FRAME
FORM
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1
13
COMMUNITY
REPRESENTATION II “Life is not about maximizing everything, it’s about giving something back - like light, space, form, serenity, joy. You have to give something back.”
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- Glenn Mucurtt
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; my concept is to connect residents with the wildlife through living together within the trees. Therefore, I want my designs to appear similar to a birdhouse, as they are also “tree houses� for the wildlife. Eucalyptus seeds also play role in my design with their open circular shape and valves. The seeds are also stacked and supported by branchs, similar to how my buildings are supported by the tree.
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
1
285x42mm Tasma
2
90x35mm Stud F
3
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
e
Pole Anchor joint to concrete foundation
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FORM
INTERIOR AND FLOOR PLAN INTERIOR PLAN The treehouse is separated into 3 different levels, each with different function. Kitchen and bathrooms are located on the bottom floor for quick access from the ground. The bathroom is curtained to provide an open experience to the natural settings. Bedroom for children are in the middle. This will allow children to feel safer, as they are closer to the ground and their parents above. Master bedroom is located on the top floor. Being high up, it provides the best view of the tree house, best resembling the view of a bird. Due to the modular design of my treehouse, custom shelves make use of the space, as it allows for more functional spaces with the curvy nature of my design.
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1 - KITCHEN / LIVING AREA
2 - ADULT BEDROOMS
2 - CHILDREN BEDROOMS
3 2
2 1
4
4
2
1
3
3
1
4
1. 2. 3. 4.
Curtained Toilet and Shower Dining table Kitchen with Under-bench fridge Wall shelves
1. 2. 3. 4.
Wall Cabinet Small Table Cabinet Single Bed Bed Table
1. 2. 3. 4.
Table Cabinet Double Bed Wall Cabinet Wood Heater
0
1m
4m
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FORM
ELEVATION AND SECTION NORTH VIEW
EAST VIEW
SOUTH VIEW
WEST VIEW
CIRCULATION For ease of access, I have thoughtfully placed ladders around the treehouse bases to allow residences to circulate through the space. This was done to preserve the tree, as ladders use less space and are lighter. The ground floor ladder is also facing the South side, allowing the residences to enter from adjacent walking trail without going onto disruptive shrub.
ELEVATION DRAWINGS
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SECTION DR
RAWING
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COMMUNITY
SITE CONTEXT AND COMMUNITY PLAN WALKING TRAIL
COMMUNITY PLAN As my concept is to further connect the residences with nature through being up high with the wildlife; my plan is to create individual tree houses which give each residence their own unique experience through having a different style of treehouse. This is done by having the tree houses at different heights or the houses having
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different designs. I tried to set my community in close proximity to each other, allowing the tree houses to feel more connected. This is specific in the ‘community park’ area, with the many trees surrounding the grassland. The other resident tree was placed specifically to further connect the ‘Chosen tree’ with the community.
PUBLIC BATHROOM
COMMUNITY PARK
RESIDENCES (4)
RESIDENCE
CHOSEN TREE
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COMMUNITY
CONCEPTUALISATION OF COMMUNITY
CO
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OMMUNAL BIRD PARK
Bird houses
Feeding bowls
CONCEPTUALISATION When conceptualising my community, I made sure that the design language was consistent throughout the site. This was done to create a more natural and welcoming feeling with the same timber framing and design. Higher treehouses include a balcony floor which is supported by the stilts and the trees. This was done for safety purposes, as longer ladders are less stable
and feel more dangerous. However these balconies act as a great communal area, where families can enjoy the outdoors from up high. The incorporation of the Bird Park was for the community to further engage with the wildlife, through feeding the birds and watching them upclose.
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With the expanding of popularity of the treehouse, many builders and architects have taken the idea of this childhood dream into reality. Representation II has given me a creative medium to explore the concept of a treehouse in a new outlook. Being located in Brownhill Creek, I was forced to analyise and return to the site multiple times to further connect and understand the site. Rather than just seeing beauty, the structure and form also comes to mind when viewing nature. Thus, with my project I created a community of treehouses which allow residences to engage with the surrounding nature through the eyes of a bird; giving the residences an breathtaking experience which can’t be found anywhere else, but Brownhill Creek.