Quaint, charming and vividly glorious – architect Terunobu Fujimori’s picturesque treehouse design is impressive on many levels, covering the wide ambit between aesthetics and structure. Specially commissioned for the Kiyoharu Shirakaba Museum, the very first thing that strikes us is not actually the specimen itself, but rather the paradisiacal setting in which it is envisaged. Perched atop a sturdy cypress trunk, the treehouse is wondrously flanked on all sides by bevy of delightful cherry blossoms.
However, once we get passed this scenic ambiance, we are witness to the incredible structural balance exhibited by the tree perched building. The one-legged bearing has been specially designed to conform to the upright credentials of the host tree itself. For example – on windy days, the cypress would tepidly sway, and so would the treehouse with its host-oriented harmony. Similarly, the structure can also mitigate the effect of earthquakes with its swaying tendency that keeps up with the seismic vibrations.
As for the human-oriented purpose of the treehouse, the design has been envisioned as a tea house with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape laden with baby-pink hue of cherry blossom trees. In a seamless fusion with this organic paradise, the materials used for the tea house are also natural (like wood and stone).
This low impact design path is actually a trademark of Terunobu Fujimori, who has previously dabbled with various naturally-bolstered architectural elements in his 20 year career. In fact, the unique list of his constructional achievements includes – organic chimneys embellished with pines and special roofs draped in leeks and chives!
Via: MyModernMet
