Treehouse

View from the lake.

Project details

• Project Name: Treehouse
• Client: Xue Shan Shui Cheng Tourism & Real Estate Develop Co.
• Project Type: Guesthouse for a golf club
• Principal Designer/s: HHF architects with the artist Ai Weiwei
• Design Team: Tilo Herlach, Simon Hartmann, Simon Frommenwiler, Ai Weiwei, Fumiko Takahama
• Date of commencement of project: July 2006
• Date of completion of project: 2007
• Location of site: Lijiang, Yunnan Province China
• Site Area: On the site of a golf club
• Built-up Area: 400m²

View from the coast.

Treehouse -- Upper floor plan - entrance level [opens in pop-up window -- 50 KB image]

Treehouse -- Lower floor - terrace level [opens in pop-up window -- 60 KB image]

Treehouse -- Section [opens in pop-up window -- 40 KB image]

Words from the designer

"The layout and design of the treehouse is based on pentagonal patterns. A concept, which is interesting as there is no possibility of creating an infinite addition of pentagons without having leftovers. These leftovers are essential in our concept: that create interesting light situations, linking the interior to the outside and integrating existing trees into the house (within the resulting courtyards). Like leaves that create space underneath a tree, light and shadow become core elements integral to the spatial quality of the treehouse."

Living room.

"The house is organized in two levels and partially cantilevers over the water. The primary orientation is towards the lake, and the "snowy mountains" out back. The complex geometry stands in stark contrast to the simplicity in materials and detailing of the building. "

Dining room and library.

"The house is primarily constructed in concrete made out of bamboo boarding. The interior and exterior floors are made out of a dark hardwood, as are the windows and the wood shutters (its opening pattern - a slight reminder of the pentagons)."

Credits

• Text and images, courtesy of HHF architects
• Compiled and Edited by Mitesh Saraf