Modular Treehouse Concept

But should size matter?

Size does matter. Size that is relative to the customer needs. The common demands for country homes are location, the views available and ultimately, if there is enough space to entertain friends and family. Naturally, the affordability of a new contemporary house has to be addressed as not every one can afford in excess of £10 million for Grafton New Hall.

The approach of this project has been directed towards achieving a design that has minimal impact upon its particular site while being extremely quick to erect, contextual within its countryside location and, most importantly, maximising the views for the home owner.

The design is primarily a flexible modular system focused around the sun path, i.e. how one enjoys daylight throughout a typical day. For example, the morning sun would be orientated through the kitchen, then on to the living space and finally enjoying a sunset in the bedroom. The house is designed to be elevated just above a natural tree line (typically 15m above ground level) and very much out of the view of the public but at the same time could be 'discovered' on a weekend country ramble.

The fluid organic lines of the design are intentional and visually less imposing very much like a helicopter floating in the sky, detached from the ground. The curvaceous undulating belly with its kinetic baffles shimmering in the wind are very much inspired by the senses experienced walking amongst woodland in strong winds. Gradating colour is introduced on the building’s surfaces like eye shadow around a woman's eye. This colour technique is also applied to the belly areas in order to emphasise the curving form of the exterior.

FLEXIBILITY

The propeller shaped plan is generated by repeating standard modules that are specifically designed in sections that are easily transportable. The concept of the system is also intended to be one of total flexibility to the extent that a two-bedroom module with two wing elements can be created as well as the typical four-bedroom plan with three wings. The system could potentially be adapted for very large 8 or 12 bedroom designs.

The design is also completely flexible to its location such that the home could just as easily be erected on the edge of steep mountain hill, within a forest valley or on a gentle slope within a countryside field. The preferred location is among a group of trees with the main advantage of the design being that it can be located on sites that would normally be impossible to construct without the felling of trees. Each location would be specifically selected and inserted between existing clusters of mature trees.

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