Canopy Living: The Ultimate Tree House
By Twisted Sifter on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 filed under ART & DESIGN PROPERTIES, PLACES & STRUCTURES.
There’s the tree house your Dad built for you in the backyard, and then there’s the tree house Robert Harvey Oshatz built in the forests of Portland, Oregon. Designed in 1997 and completed in 2004, the Wilkinson Residence is in perfect harmony with its surroundings. Built on a steep sloping lot, the living space resides amongst the forest canopy, making your morning coffee most enjoyable. With more curves than Lombard Street, the Wilkinson Residence is a property you have to see to believe.
Description from the architect: Robert Harvey Oshatz
A lover of music, the client wanted a house that not only became part of the natural landscape but also addressed the flow of music. This house evades the mechanics of the camera; it is difficult to capture the way the interior space flows seamlessly through to the exterior. One must actually stroll through the house to grasp its complexities and its connection to the exterior. One example is a natural wood ceiling, floating on curved laminated wood beams, passing through a generous glass wall which wraps around the main living room.
Project Details
- Project Name: Wilkinson Residence
- Site Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
- Architect: Robert Harvey Oshatz
- Project Type: Residential
- Client: Roy Wilkinson
- Site Area: 2200 square meters (23,680 sq. ft)
- Built-up Area: 480 square meters (5,162 sq. ft)
- Designed in 1997, construction completed in 2004
All information and images courtesy of: http://www.oshatz.com/text/wilkinson.htm
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If you enjoyed this article, the Sifter highly recommends: A Ring of Beauty
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Richard Stafursky
December 3rd, 2009 at 1:34 pmHi,
This is another example of the disfigurement of the natural landscape. Mansionization not only harms society but, it consumes valuable resources. Many people confuse the desire to enjoy and consume the natural landscape with protection and respect for the natural landscape. The United States architect Frank Lloyd Wright made this mistake in a big way and we are still recovering from the idea of architectural indulgence. In this case the designer of Minister Canopy Living: The Ultimate Tree House clearly has no respect for the natural landscape. Clearly this is a model that is out of synch with the environmental state of the art movement which seeks to reduce use of rare building materials and to stay out of the forest. Remember, too, that the natural landscape is affected 1000 feet in all directions form the house and any of its facilities such as garden paths, fences and pavilions. People rich enough to buy such homes never care to be or are knowledgeable about the natural world and its importance. These people are hideous in their world view.
Richard Stafursky
155 Belmont Ave.
Brattleboro, VT
(802) 257-9158
rhstafursky@yahoo.com
President, World Species List
WSLF (World Species List Forest)
Conway, MA
http://wslfconwaymausa.blogspot.com/
The Natural Landscape
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_landscape
Twisted_Sifter
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:37 pmHi Richard!
Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts. I have not heard of the term mansionization but it an interesting concept. I also have not heard the 1000 ft rule but likely has some truth to it.
Do you have any examples of architects or companies you think are doing it correctly? Any buildings stand out you feel 'get it'.
Would love your thoughts.
Thanks!
Brian
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:48 pmWOW.
Twisted_Sifter
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:12 pmHey Brian aka Fido McCokefiend, that's a sweet feakin' site you got there! I run @familyguyquotes on twitter, you should check it out, it's pretty freakin' sweet!
Great site design btw. Famiy Guy Rules!
<img src="http://static.tvguide.com/MediaBin/Galleries/Shows/A_F/Fa_Fh/Family_Guy/Season6/family-guy34.jpg">
An Ocean of Emotion: The View from Otter Cove [Carmel, California] | TwistedSifter
January 5th, 2010 at 9:23 am[...] Photograph by Joe Fletcher This home was first spotted on ArchDaily. This is my favourite site online for architecture, check them out for more incredible buildings and properties. If you’re on Twitter or Facebook, let’s connect! If you enjoyed this article, the Sifter highly recommends: Canopy Living - The Ultimate Tree House [...]
Guest
January 7th, 2010 at 7:29 pmThats Amazing!
Stumbled from WV!
Cozmo
January 13th, 2010 at 6:15 amEnvironmental impact or no you have to admit that is a pretty sweet house.
luanpa
January 13th, 2010 at 11:14 amIt is so cool
sri
January 13th, 2010 at 12:38 pmnice and amazing
James
January 13th, 2010 at 4:21 pmWhere do you live?
Master
January 13th, 2010 at 7:45 pmyou just wish you had one like it.
Twisted_Sifter
January 13th, 2010 at 7:57 pmagreed. sweeter than the sap from the trees surrounding it!
thanks for dropping by Cozmo!
Twisted_Sifter
January 13th, 2010 at 7:58 pmyes master
The Big Picture » Blog Archive » Wilkinson Residence in Portland’s Forest
January 17th, 2010 at 8:11 am[...] Hat tip Twisted Sifter [...]
Treehouse Classroom
January 17th, 2010 at 4:22 pmThis house is amazing