Mike's treehouse page

Mike's Tree House

It is about contrasts. People have a vision of what a tree house should look like. It is a vision associated with fairy tales, with childhood and nostalgia. They expect them to blend in, to have grown some way as part of the tree. I have much sympathy with this view, that architecture should compliment and blend in to its setting. But this has been achieved in a variety of ways in recent history. My interpretation is that there are two ways of achieving this. A building can be built with natural materials and earthy tones like thecrofter's cottage or the mud hut. There is much wisdom in this. To build from local materials and to create something that seems to have grown from its setting should be the goal of any architect. But oddly the harsh lines and geometric forms of the modern movement also have a stronger relationship with their site than any Victorian villa.It seems that in extreme contrast a harmony has been achieved with the surrounding landscape. This is what I have tried to achieve in the treehouse. It is a geometric form surrounded by organic forms. It is made from processed and machined materials whilst being supported by natures great structures. These contrasts may not be to everyone's taste, they may not be pleasing to everyone's eye, but the have created an original piece of design. Above all these contrasts have lead to the creation of a pleasant and stimulating artificial environment that enables the enjoyment of the unique beauty of nature. (Mike)

It is about contrasts. People have a vision of what a tree house should look like. It is a vision associated with fairy tales, with childhood and nostalgia. They expect them to blend in, to have grown some way as part of the tree. I have much sympathy with this view, that architecture should compliment and blend in to its setting. But this has been achieved in a variety of ways in recent history. My
	interpretation is that there are two ways of
	achieving this. A building can be built with natural materials and earthy tones like thecrofter's cottage or the mud hut. There is much wisdom in this. To build from local materials and to create something that seems to have grown from its setting should be the goal of any architect. But oddly the
	harsh lines and geometric forms of the modern movement
also have a stronger relationship with their site than any Victorian villa.It seems that in extreme contrast a harmony has been achieved with the
	surrounding landscape. This is what I have tried to achieve in the treehouse. It is a
	geometric form surrounded by organic forms. It is made from processed and machined materials whilst being supported by natures great structures. These contrasts may not be to everyone's taste, they may not be pleasing to everyone's eye,
	but the have created an original piece of design.
Above all these contrasts have lead to the creation of a pleasant and stimulating artificial environment that enables the enjoyment of the unique beauty of nature. (Mike)