Research's IaaC - Casuarina Treehouse

Introductory Design Studio I - ArboReal Home (Treehouse)

Faculty: Areti Markopoulou, Luis Fraguada
Advisor: Gerard Passola
Guest Tutor: Michel Rojkind
Students: Kfir Gluzberg, Matheus Nava, Brian Peters

This proposal began with a one month intensive study of our specific tree specimen and the species' behaviour in general. Our treehouse focus was drawn from the Casuarina's defensive nature towards foreign species and cultivation and support of its own. As such, we began to research ways of extending one tree in order to meet another such that we could create a 'treehouse' that would enhance or support the trees' mutually supportive reltaionship.

The structure was treated as an extension of the tree's natural growth in tension.

The skin was designed as a growing fabric of Spanish Moss that is known to naturally cohabit with the Casuarina species.

The result of our research was a canopy as extension of any given casuarina specimen. The canopy could be multiplied to create a continuous field from one tree to another. The space below would be part of the continuous matrix that exists between the tree's roots, defensive carpet of needles and fruits, and dense but translucent canopy.