Tree Architecture

A shorter post today for those of you who read the entirety of the last one. I frequently find myself thinking about the shape and form of trees. Since I was a child I awed at the tree's ability to withstand most any storm. Granted, the most powerful of Mother Nature's weather will leave the ground bare, but other than those freak occurrences, trees stand up remarkably well to the elements. Why do we not see more buildings with the form and engineering of trees, I often wondered. One may argue the Metabolism movement in Japan created some very interesting tree-like forms.

But the goals of the Metabolites was not to explore how the form of trees might lead to innovative architecture. They were attempting to alleviate the shortage of residential housing in post WWII Japan with limited land. It just so happened the end result of their investigations led to the forms being very much "tree-like." It reminds me of the convergent evolution idea in evolutionary biology. Similar to trees branching to capture as much sunlight, air and water as possible, so too do the clusters of apartments stretch away from the base "trunk" in order to provide the occupants with as much access to environment as those at the floor of the city's "forest." 

Could using trees natural form and strength be utilized unadulterated in construction? 

Whole Trees, an architectural and engineering company out of Wisconsin, seems to be answering that question. Architect Roald Gundersen began using un-milled timbers as structural components in his buildings and the results are truly stunning. Now the so many childhood dreams of living in tree houses like the Swiss Family Robinson can come to fruition. 

What I find most incredible is Gundersen is using what is arguably the most common, most used, building material on Earth, yet is utilizing a nearly unadulterated form. A form that most architects, engineers, contractors, etc., would tell you is suitable for little else but firewood. Could these be the most sustainable structural building elements on Earth? 

Learn more:
Wikipedia entry on Metabolism Architecture
Whole Trees
Building with Whole Trees