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34 Clever Buildings Whose Architects Refused To Cut Down Local Trees
We can either work with nature or work against it. On this spectrum, these architects have decided to find a middle ground: instead of chopping down trees and building modern houses, the trees are incorporated as a part of their creative ideas.
Deforestation has a significant environmental impact. Many studies suggest that it is a contributor to global warming; it impacts the water cycle by reducing the amount of water in the soil and air; it contributes to soil loss, and it results in a decline in biodiversity.
Urbanization makes up only a small part of global deforestation, but it is important for its psychological impact. Will we cut down the forests to build our homes, or will try and incorporate our modern buildings into the surrounding environment? How can we change our living habits to be more mindful of nature and eco-friendly?
These modern architecture designs showcase tree-human cohabitation. Do you have any pictures of nature and architecture combined in urban spaces? Post them or vote on your favorite modernist houses below!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Kindergarten Around The Tree
JulietteRogers 10 years ago
Perfect! I would have loved to mimic the 2nd picture and put in glass windows, create a few rooms, somehow a master w/ private bath upstairs and perhaps an outdoor shower!
RELATED:
#2
The Tea House
Martin Burlund 5 years ago
It's built from concrete, which is a material that ultimately destroys nature...
#3
The Tree Was There First
DoruBacila 10 years ago
I think is very wise and beautiful design for a building to looks this way.
m Stars 4 years ago
Girdling is the fastest way to kill a tree because all of it's vascular tissues are on the outside, covered in bark... So once the tree gets old enough that the holes are too small, the building can choke the tree and it will die and pose a fall/fire threat to people in the building... I wonder if the architects considered that?
PhilMurphy 9 years ago
Awesome. If the tree did eventually die or have to be removed for safety then MEGAFLUMEFIREEXIT
MaschaClaessens 10 years ago
Looks great! But I hope I won't cause problems once the inevitable day comes the tree dies or collapses once it's old. ;)
#4
Casa Vogue
#5
Niavaran Residential Complex
#6
Lakeview Residence
AlexisHeckman 10 years ago
I would have made the trunk hole bigger so it can still grow. I've seen trees that were tied with string that didn't grow in that one spot.
#7
Hole
ThomasNorris 10 years ago
Okay; there's a wall around the house to keep whatever out? So why provide an apparent access?
#8
Kook Osteria & Pizzeria
AlexisHeckman 10 years ago
As a Certified Food Protecton Manager, this is my favorite one. :D
Load More Replies... MelvinPetties 10 years ago
Great concept. More Maintenance keeping it confined, but totally worth the effort. I wonder if the air is more oxygenated because of the tree
#9
Tree Hugger
SallyGillies 10 years ago
Smart. Even older homes can benefit from a little creativity and love of nature.
JulietteRogers 10 years ago
Odd - would command lots of attention. Hopefully you could keep anyone from carving their initials on it while sitting there!~
ElizabethRitchie 10 years ago
This was probably wayyy cheaper and easier than having a tree removed. But I wouldn't be surprised if it was a building code violation.
#10
Cylindrical Glass House Built Around A Tree
GertieSmith 10 years ago
i cant wait for people to be able to see me do everything in that house
LeopardHorse56 10 years ago
What people? It's in the middle of a forest...
Load More Replies...
captaingrumpy 10 years ago
I hate glass houses , they are not practical and you have to be a certain sort of exhibitionist to live there.
AndreaBrancaccio 10 years ago
Did they build this up to take a picture and be in this tread? ..... besides the envy for who can afford to build something so magnificent in the middle of nowhere, I really love the idea and its realization.
#11
Tree Apartments
JulietteRogers 10 years ago
Inspirational - would also make a good small house. No steps though. Perhaps a hoisting square/platform, with it;s own garage
nazanin hatami 3 years ago
so you'd cut down hundreds of trees to build a wooden house but you refuse to cut a tree that is actually in your house.
GeorginaForbes 10 years ago
Muckross Abbey, Ireland probably has the oldest example of this. Beautiful!
#12
Casa Vogue
EllenEmpson 10 years ago
No. Hard to mix modern design with these trees unless there's natural materials used.
#13
Century Park Shopping Center Bend, Oregon By Kjd Architecture Pc. Over 100 Trees Saved On Site.
Final score:
33points
#14
Kit Kat Restaurant In Toronto Has A 4 Story Tree Growing Out The Of The Kitchen Area.
Final score:
30points
#18
Frank Lloyd Wright - Taliesin East, Wisconsin
Final score:
19points
#20
Corno De Bico Nature Interpretation Centre | Paredes De Coura, Portugal | Atelier Da Bouça
Final score:
12points
#21
Umpqua Bank Century Park Bend, Oregon By Kjd Architecture Pc. Over 100 Trees Saved On Site.
Final score:
8points
#24
Hungry Lion (now Close But Building Still There) Honolulu Hi School Street.
Final score:
6points
#25
Moving Mansion - Yürüyen Köşk
Final score:
6points
DengeEsenterk (Submission author) 10 years ago
The whole building was relocated in order not to cut the mable tree which grew so fast. In 1930s, head of state, K. Atatürk, who didn't like neither demolish the building (that was shaped early republican architecture) nor cut the tree, signed engineers so they lifted the building onto a trail system, and fixed into the ground 5 meters further.
#28
Our Cabin In Czech Republic, Built By Famous Czech Tramp Bob Hurikán (on The Photo)
Final score:
1point
#30
Russia. Suzdal
Final score:
0points
#31
#32 Residences At University Of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Final score:
0points
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What do you think ?
HemantSharma 10 years ago
I love those photographs and i wish whenever ill make my own house i ll plant lots of tree...
KenKnox 10 years ago
It is a wonderful idea to think about preserving any tree that has beauty, good health, sound structure, adds to the value of the property, etc., but when thoughts like this are put into action and all that money is spent for the purpose of "keeping that tree", there definitely should be an intelligent consulting arborist involved. It is sad to see the actual condition of most of these trees, all of their structural flaws, the lack of professional tree care, and, most importantly, the lack of attention to safety of people around them, etc., etc. SAFETY is by far the most important issue in any situation involving any tree, and it would be sad to learn "down the road" that someone was injured by a tree that was preserved without any professional care . " PREVENTION IS ALWAYS THE BEST CURE" ! Respectfully, Ken Knox.
JeffreyPizel 9 years ago
I also thought about the Nurturing and Care that would be needed to insure the Welfare of ALL !
Load More Replies...
ElizabethButler 9 years ago
All very well until the tree dies--to construct around a tree great consideration needs to be made to protect the roots and allow the roots air and water.
HemantSharma 10 years ago
I love those photographs and i wish whenever ill make my own house i ll plant lots of tree...
KenKnox 10 years ago
It is a wonderful idea to think about preserving any tree that has beauty, good health, sound structure, adds to the value of the property, etc., but when thoughts like this are put into action and all that money is spent for the purpose of "keeping that tree", there definitely should be an intelligent consulting arborist involved. It is sad to see the actual condition of most of these trees, all of their structural flaws, the lack of professional tree care, and, most importantly, the lack of attention to safety of people around them, etc., etc. SAFETY is by far the most important issue in any situation involving any tree, and it would be sad to learn "down the road" that someone was injured by a tree that was preserved without any professional care . " PREVENTION IS ALWAYS THE BEST CURE" ! Respectfully, Ken Knox.
JeffreyPizel 9 years ago
I also thought about the Nurturing and Care that would be needed to insure the Welfare of ALL !
Load More Replies... ElizabethButler 9 years ago
All very well until the tree dies--to construct around a tree great consideration needs to be made to protect the roots and allow the roots air and water.
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