Treehouse

University/SchoolPrinceton University
Lead ArchitectYinong Tao
Design TeamAdvisor: Erin Besler

The project reimagines the roles of trees in architecture.The design of a treehouse is a temporary dwelling that responds to the forest rangers' housing crisis. Humans have a long history of building with wood, it was recently that we brought standardization to trees, regardless of their species or significance. A standing tree is appraised by its nominal lumber volume and relative transportation costs. An interest in nature ironically exonerates land clearing as long as more trees are planted. The project looks back, praises trees' original form, and emphasizes them through architecture.