Kendel Architekten
Cocoon in the Trees
A Treehouse for a Tropical Island
Image courtesy Kendel Architekten
With the grey November on our doorsteps we are all dreaming of escaping to a tropical island for a few month. The winning design, (2003) in the International Treehouse Competition, by Kendel Architekten looks like "a dream come through" to us.
Image courtesy Kendel Architekten
Structurally the tree house integrates the high principles of a spinal column and a hammock. Which means it will very lightly swing and twist with the wind and the trees, but will remain stable at anchor in the air.
Image courtesy Kendel Architekten
Image courtesy Kendel Architekten
Image courtesy Kendel Architekten
The construction of the "stage of high life" can be carried out on any site with locally available wood and materials simply cut to size. Two palm trees, three kinds of metal joint modules and a few metres of stainless steel cable are needed in addition.
Image courtesy Kendel Architekten
Image courtesy Kendel Architekten
The overall size of the tree house can vary according to the distance between the trees and their trunk dimensions - from a single/double room to a family apartment.
For the "cocoon" any material from palm leafs to coco fibre mats or even modern parachute materials can be fixed on a simple lattice-grid-shell of local timbers.
To create a "lonesome nest" you simply look for two palm trees, to create "community- clusters" several houses are fixed to a central tree.
Image courtesy Kendel Architekten
November 5, 2001