Manhattan Tree House Pavilion
We’ve got a hot new project to unveil that we’ve been keeping under wraps since its very recent inception. It was conceived, designed, fabricated and built in 4 weeks and completed early this morning. Stay tuned for a blog post on the tight timeline, process and exceptional teamwork on this one. Constructed in the Armory Building of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the project is one of the main fixtures for the Microsoft Open House and launch of Windows Mobile 6.5. The 12-foot tall by 32-foot long tube enclosure sits ten feet in the air and rests between (4) 24-foot tall logs.
Architecturally, we aimed for a built-form that is modern and sleek, at the same time raw and tangible. The plywood ribs create a nice balance with their precise radius cuts and natural warmth. The rough tree bark lends texture, feel and aroma. The airy fabric wrap is visually light and allows the structure to glow in the space. It’s intended to be fun and low-tech, modernism with a soul.
BUILD’s AutoCAD drawings were emailed to the CBS shop (yup, THE CBS in downtown Manhattan) and then fed to CNC machines for precise cutting of the 29 plywood ribs – thanks to David for the speedy delivery.
The 4 trees came from upstate New York where they were trucked down Lexington Ave and brought to the Armory Building. It was quite a site; 24-foot x 14-inch diameter logs being offloaded on the Upper East Side then carved up with chainsaws.
Built by the indispensible Wes Weaver, super-builder/motivator in conjunction with NYC teamsters. Teaming with Wes on the construction was Kevin Eckert who provided construction management sharp-shooting in addition to elbow grease on the project. Designed by Andrew van Leeuwen, BUILD LLC worked in conjunction with the creative direction of powerhouse Workbench Creative -thanks to Greg, Matt and John Wallis. The concept is the brainchild of Seattle based masterminds Wexley School for Girls. The tricky structural engineering was provided by Swenson Say Faget Structural Engineers -thanks to Paul.
Cheers from your (exhausted) friends at BUILD…
9 Comments
Other Links to this Post
-
Manhattan Tree House Pavilion by BUILD « RADDblog — October 8, 2009 @ 12:39 pm
-
בית על העץ צץ במנהטן ב reDesign — October 9, 2009 @ 11:42 pm
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
By Marsha, October 6, 2009 @ 1:55 pm
This is unbelievably cool. So sleek and modern. It is not at all what one thinks of when remembering childhood treehouses! I want one. Way to go all especially Workbench Creative..you guys are amazing!
By Keiser, October 6, 2009 @ 2:39 pm
The look and feel of raw plywood is a nice contrast to the tech-slick designs that will be launched at the show. Nice work – wish I could be there to experience it.
By Gus, October 6, 2009 @ 2:42 pm
I love how the ribs translate through the fabric. Nice effect guys.
By Rick, October 7, 2009 @ 5:46 am
Awesome work…great job Workbench Creative.
You rock.
By Seth, October 7, 2009 @ 8:08 am
Very cool. I think it’s interesting how some of the best architectural expressions are for temporary structures, and designed, umm how should we say – rapidly.
I hope it stays up for a while and finds a good home when it’s all done. Cheers.
By mike, October 7, 2009 @ 8:32 am
spruce goose-inspired?
By chase jarvis, October 8, 2009 @ 3:56 pm
That sucker is HOT HOT HOT!
Congrats, gentlemen. Simply stunning.