One of the structures must be elevated above ground level. This basically means that the structure has to be situated or placed higher than the surrounding area. I looked at existing architecture where the building or structure has been elevated.
Tree Houses
'Tree houses or tree forts are platforms or buildings constructed around, next to or among the trunk or branches of one or more mature trees while above ground level. Tree houses can be used for recreation, work space, habitation, observation or as temporary retreats.'
Tree Snake Houses by Luís and Tiago Rebelo de Andrade
Project Area: 27,00 sqm
The long narrow bodies of snakes inspired the shapes of this pair of matching woodland hideaways that stretch out between the trees of a park in northern Portugal. The structures each offer accommodation for one or two inhabitants at the Pedras Salgadas Park.The architects aimed to "recreate the fantasy of tree houses", by designing spaces that sit amongst the tree branches. Rather than climbing upwards, the structures maintain a flat level, which gradually becomes more elevated as the ground slopes away underneath.
Both buildings are constructed from timber, but are externally clad with slate tiles that create the impression of rough scales."The characteristic design associated with the slates and the wood on the base suggests a snake gliding between the trees," said the designers. "Like a wild animal in its natural habitat, the house suddenly appears in the visual field of the observer."The choice of materials gives an instant sense of connection with nature at the same time it establishes a coherent image of the proposal into a perfect symbiosis between the house and the Park.
Sustainable technologies such as solar panels and water recycling allow the buildings to be self-sufficient, while low-energy lighting and well-insulated walls ensure that electricity and heating are used as efficiently as possible.
Branched Offices by Projectiles
Surface: 450 m2
This cluster of offices in northern France are raised above the ground like treehouses, supported by a forest of roughly sawn wooden columns. Projectiles as an extension to a carpenter's workshop, the string of buildings is sandwiched between two existing warehouses and creates a bridge between them.
Bridges also connect the blocks to each other, while an external staircase provides a link between the offices and a picnic area below.One of the six blocks steps down to ground level to serve as an entrance lobby, containing a second staircase crafted entirely from square-cut wooden beams.The construction is entirely built in wood,including the framework. The carpentry consists of a unique window dimension, sometimes fixed, sometimes opening.
Tree Hotel by Tham & Videgård Arkitekter
Tree Hotel by Tham & Videgård Arkitekter, a mirrored glass box(lightweight aluminium structure ) suspended round the trunk of a tree in Harads, northern Sweden.The 4x4x4 metre cube clad in mirrored glass is accessed by rope bridge and reflects the surrounding forest and sky.
The plywood interior is designed to accommodate two people, containing a double bed, bathroom, living room and roof terrace.
To prevent birds colliding with the reflective glass, a transparent ultraviolet colour is laminated into the glass panes which are visible for birds only.
Stilts/Pilotis
Stilts are upright poles with supports enabling a building/structure to be elevated at a distance above the ground. Pilotis are ground level supporting columns.
LANTERNEN by Atelier Oslo
The proposal used the iconographic shape of and old wooden house. By the redefinition of its traditional construction and by making it glow in the dark. The construction serves as a canopy over a small square in the pedestrian old part of the city. The pavilion revitalises the square, and creates a place where different types of activities take place; a meeting point, markets, informal music concerts and other performances. Since the site is visible from afar, it was important to create an object that also could be experienced from the distance.
As well as having an iconographical and recognizable shape, the roof stretches out to capture the sun, light is filtered through the depth and translucency of the structure. In rainy weather rolling clouds are reflected in the glass. At night, the whole pavilion glows like a lantern.
An abstract and lightweight sensation is achieved through the uniform structure, where there is no division between primary and secondary elements. It is a double grid made solely of 90x90mm wood members. Where needed, additional elements are added within the system.
The material of the roof construction is laminated pine with steel reinforcement in the joints.
An abstract and lightweight sensation is achieved through the uniform structure, where there is no division between primary and secondary elements. It is a double grid made solely of 90x90mm wood members. Where needed, additional elements are added within the system.
The material of the roof construction is laminated pine with steel reinforcement in the joints.
The glass panels are mounted in an overlapping pattern, as in a traditional slate roof.
The overlap incorporates eventual movement between the panels. This allows the glass to be mounted directly onto the wooden structure, avoiding the typical steel profiles and substructure. A translucent pattern is printed on the panels, to both capture the light, and let it through to play with the wooden structure beneath.
The overlap incorporates eventual movement between the panels. This allows the glass to be mounted directly onto the wooden structure, avoiding the typical steel profiles and substructure. A translucent pattern is printed on the panels, to both capture the light, and let it through to play with the wooden structure beneath.
The roof is held up by four groups of columns, creating a flexible space, open for different performances and activities. The columns are individual and sculptural, and in contrast to the simple shape of the roof, they create different informal spaces. In some places the columns turn into benches when meeting the ground. The columns are withdrawn from the edge of the roof, both to be protected from the rain, but also to blur the sensation for the users of being covered or not. With inspiration from gothic principles, the continuity of the structure is shown from the ground to the roof. Towards the roof the columns spread out to allocate the pressure of the roof, and towards the ground to stabilize the construction, distribute weight and secure lateral stability. The material is oak timber with steel reinforcement in the joints.
WOODEN HOUSES IN CADIRETES FOREST by Simón García
'it would be necessary to make a proposal affecting as less as possible the existing forest. So we propose to touch as minimum as possible the terrain, without modifying its topography, and of course without cutting any existing tree.' So the idea was also that as a client you could feel in the forest itself and with the maximum services possible.. In order to achieve these goals, the architects proposed to make a round walkway to give access to all the wooden houses. the architects proposed to concentrate all the installation services (pipe water supplies, drain water, fire water supply, electricity, lighting, fiber optic) under this path, 'so we could reduce as much as possible the holes on the field'. This pathway is also following the topographic lines, so it make the wooden houses also very accessible. At the same time the wooden houses were situated without touching the existing trees and alternating spaces between them, that is giving more view to the forest and the sea, and also provides more privacy to each house
The structures had to be made out of natural wood. Must be 100% demountable and recyclable. The architects proposed thermal ecologic isolation made out of black cork boards. The natural park that is next to the camping is providing the cork raw material, the architects considered that is was very important to close the circle between provider and final user. This material was used as thermal isolation all around the houses (roof, floor and walls). This material has unique characteristics like hygrothermic regulation, rotproof, compression resistance, etc. The industrial process is 100% ecological.
The wooden houses stands just over 4 wooden columns over small concrete basements. In order to enhance this sensation of living IN the forest, the architects proposed the south façade all in glass with corridor doors, and protected by a great cantilever connecting a big terrace outside with the living space inside. This cantilever at the south orientation protects from the summer sun, but allow the sun to come inside in Winter time. This way it is also possible to generate a crossing ventilation with the sea breeze, that is the most efficient natural refrigerating system for this climate area of Costa Brava. The access to the wooden houses must be allways by behind to generate privacity of the front part. Lightning was proposed with low efficiency light and led light. Another energy saving solutions proposed were an automatic energy switch off, lower the volume of water consumption, etc. Floor pavement of the walkway made out of compact sand of the same land. Use of wooden beams for the stairs and kerbs of the walkways. Lighting of the pathways and stairs has been proposed with marker indirect lights. Natural gardening with bushes and trees of the meditarrean clima.
Villa Savoye by Le Corbusier
Situated in Poissy, a small commune outside of Paris, is one of the most significant contributions to modern architecture in the 20th century, Villa Savoye by Le Corbusier. Completed in 1929, Villa Savoye is a modern take on a French country house that celebrates and reacts to the new machine age.In response to his aspirations and admiration of mechanized design, Le Corbusier established “The Five Points” of architecture, which is simply a list of prescribed elements to be incorporated in design. The Villa Savoye is thoroughly tailored to Corbusier’s Five Points.The simplistic, streamlined result born out of innovative engineering techniques and modular design had influenced Corbusier’s spatial planning and minimalistic aesthetic.
The house appears to be floating above the forested picturesque background supported by slender pilotis that seem to dissolve among the tree line,
Flotanta House by Benjamin Garcia Saxe Architects
Originally, the architects explored possibilities of creating large retaining walls and cutting back the soil in order to place the house, a technique typically employed for nearby buildings. Ultimately, the architects decided to do the exact opposite and therefore allow the slope, the earth, the vegetation, water, and animals to flow underneath the house. the architects essentially lifted the house up into the air on a series of pilotis which gives the impression that it is floating above the hillside. By doing this the architects saved the immense cost of creating soil retention walls around the site. This common sense solution allowed the archiects to create a very delicate intervention, one that allows the terrain to breathe whilst providing spectacular views out towards the ocean from the key location on the site.
Suspended
'To support or keep from falling without apparent attachment'