Cylindrical Tree House by Malon Vorster Architecture
Malon Vorster, a Cape Town, South African architectural firm designed this amazing four cylindrical home called House Paarman Tree House Constantia to complement the existing collection of buildings on the site.
The site is tree rich and the client wanted a cabin style one-bedroom hide away resembling the tree houses of their youth. The location of the tree house is #10 on the above site plan.
Inspiration was drawn from the timber cabins of Horace Gifford and Kengo Kuma’s notion of working with the void or in between space and the detailing ethic of Carlo Scarpa that uses a process of geometric restraint and handcrafted manufacturing.
The organization of the tree house appears to focus on the cylinders but actually focusses on the pure geometry of a square with each side divided into 3 modules of which two have the diameter of a circle on each of the four sides of the square resulting in a pin wheel layout.
The tree house is basically a vertically arranged clearing in the forest with a living space on the first level, a bedroom on the second and a roof deck on the third. Red cedar battens cover the outside of the glass walls
A weathered Corten steel ramp leads to the home’s entry on the first level of the tree house.
Each circle’s centre is the location of a column and circular rings that support the floor beams above which are connected to the columns by “branching” arms. Each ring encompasses a half round space ancillary to the main square living space on that level.
The columns, arms and rings are constructed from laser=cut and folded Corten steel plate and each column is divided into four trunks. The steel trees support the timber floor beams, façade glazing and a western red cedar building envelope.
The connections between steel and timber are made with hand turned brass components. All materials are left untreated so that they can weather into a natural patina.
The cylinders are positioned on both the inside and the outside of the treehouse.
The geometry of the building is quite spectacular as is the craftsmanship of the construction.
The half round bays accommodate a patio, a dining alcove and a stair on the living level.
By giving each zone it’s own level, the areas are spacious for such a small footprint.
The large expanses of glazing provide the homeowners with views between the trees.
A spiral staircase connects each level.
The spiral staircase cantilevers out from the wall with each tread changing direction and morphing into the balustrade.
The second level has the bedroom and bathroom located on it.
The bathroom continues the circular motf with its vessel sink. The third level features an outdoor dining area on the rooftop deck.
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