A House Project Exploring the Relationship Between Residence and Trees within the Landscape
The Concept of Place and Life
The design mission of this house began with a clear vision of living as a spatial and sensory experience. According to the architectural concept, the goal was not merely to construct a building, but to craft an environment in which people can live and explore daily. From this perspective, careful consideration was given to selecting the ideal plot from a list of potential sites, ensuring the integration of the location with the overall design.
Facades: Reflecting Seasons and Mood
The design relies on diverse facades that reflect seasonal changes throughout the year. These facades were not created merely for their external appearance, but to be part of the internal living experience, contributing to a different mood in every corner of the house. They can be viewed from various spaces within the home, adding a constantly renewed visual and sensory dimension with every movement through the space.
Life as a Journey of Discovery
Life in this context should be understood as an ongoing journey of sensory and spatial discovery. Every corner, every light, and every framed view of the facades contributes to shaping a new experience for the residents, making the house more than just a shelter, it becomes a dynamic space that stimulates the senses and encourages interaction with the environment.
Site Exploration: Between Past and Present
Upon visiting the site, the house stood in a somewhat deteriorated condition; however, what immediately captured attention was the cluster of mature trees scattered throughout the yard. These trees were not merely botanical elements, they carried the memory and history of the place, narrating the story of the yard’s past life and creating a rich, meaningful spatial experience.
Trees as Spatial Determinants
Here, the trees went beyond being natural elements; they contributed to defining the overall atmosphere of the place, providing an immediate sense of authenticity and belonging. This sense made it evident that the site held sensory and spatial value that must be preserved, aligning with principles highlighted in architectural research.
Design Mission: Highlighting the Existing Atmosphere
The design mission evolved into capturing the existing ambiance and enhancing it in a manner fully integrated with the new project. The goal was to redefine the relationship between humans and nature, allowing the rich spatial sensation provided by the mature trees to continue shaping the living experience within the house.
The Focal Tree: The Heart of the Design
In particular, a tree positioned relatively centrally on the plot stood out, casting a defined yet partially penetrable shade that allowed flexibility in using the surrounding space. Around its shaded and fragrant canopy, especially in early spring when a subtle scent of Acacia caven emerges, all elements of the house were organized in an organic and harmonious manner.
Spatial Organization Around Nature
The design philosophy manifests in shaping spaces around the tree; the house is not understood as a fixed mass but as an entity that unfolds and branches out. The primary sectors were organized as follows:
- Social Sector: Open spaces for daily interaction.
- Service Sector: Spread over two floors, with circulation and oversight possibilities from above.
- Private Sector: Housing personal rooms, ensuring privacy while benefiting from the spatial relationship with the tree.
Nature as a Design Reference
This organization reflects how nature can become a vital element in architectural composition. Trees are not limited to being aesthetic features; they transform into essential determinants of spatial arrangements and functions, while maintaining a harmonious connection between humans and nature.
Respecting Nature: The House-Tree Relationship
The positioning of the house reflects its respect and appreciation for the existing trees, creating relationships of adjacency and continuity with the surrounding environment. The nearby landscape embraces the various courtyards, which act as openings overlooking the interior views of the house, enhancing the sense of openness and connection with nature.
Courtyard Formation: The Bridge Between Street and Home
At the same time, the sloping terrain between two streets at different urban levels plays a key role in shaping the courtyards, allowing these spaces to connect the house seamlessly with the street:
- Facade facing the public linear garden: Forms the main entrance and provides a natural pathway into the interior.
- Facade overlooking the neighborhood street: Enables direct interaction with the social area while maintaining the required privacy.
Water Elements and Tree Shade
A triangular water feature complements the design, positioned between the shadows of the Neltuma alba (carob tree) and the Erythrina crista-galli (coral tree). It adds a visual and sensory dimension, enhancing the spatial experience through reflections and the shifting shadows throughout the day.
The “House-Tree” Concept
This project embodies the idea of coexistence between humans and nature, or more precisely, how to inhabit the landscape in an integrated manner. In this context, the uniqueness of the pre-existing trees is valued not only for their age or aesthetic appeal but for their ability to testify to a biological and organic system that reconnects us with the essence of nature and enriches the living experience, as explored in architectural research.
Temporal and Cyclical Dimension in Design
The temporal and cyclical aspects play a fundamental role in contrast to the permanence of architecture. The trees reflect seasonal changes, adding a dynamic sensory dimension throughout the year. These variations make the house alive and responsive to nature, rather than merely a static structure.
Integrating Nature into Daily Life
The trees are incorporated into the creation of a nearby landscape, forming a generous spatial continuity that allows the outdoor environment to participate actively in the daily living experience. This curated landscape reconnects residents with their natural surroundings, whether through the designed links or through spontaneous interactions with surrounding natural elements, creating a sense of harmony and continuity between humans and the environment.
✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight
It can be noted that the project makes a significant contribution to exploring the relationship between the building and nature, as the organization of spaces around the trees reflects an understanding of the surrounding environment and the importance of visual and sensory connections with the landscape. However, there remain a number of observations that may pose challenges in practical and design contexts:
Firstly, despite the clear attention to the natural landscape, heavy reliance on existing trees may limit the ability to expand or modify spaces in the future, especially if environmental conditions change or the trees reach the end of their life span. Secondly, distributing the various sectors around natural elements may complicate the management of daily circulation within the house, including access to services or social areas, requiring careful consideration of movement and future flexibility. Thirdly, the interaction between the natural terrain and the different street levels, although aesthetically pleasing, may present executional complexities regarding maintenance or the practical use of open spaces.
Furthermore, the curated landscape can be considered an important sensory component of the project, but at the same time, it demands long-term commitment in terms of maintenance and care for the surrounding environment, a factor often overlooked in early design evaluations.
From an architectural analysis perspective, this project can serve as an example of integrating nature into residential organization, while emphasizing the need to consider practical and operational constraints. This approach allows future designers to think of flexible solutions that combine sensory aesthetics with functional sustainability simultaneously.
