While the technical definition of a tree house insists that a structure must be supported by tree trunks and sit among their branches, a similar effect can be had simply by integrating trees that already exist on a building plot into the design. Sensitively designed woodland homes can be created to work around trees to have the smallest possible impact on the site while creating a sense of unity with the forest, especially when the structures are wholly or partially elevated off the ground.
Perched atop one of Los Angeles? tallest hilltops in the Echo Park neighborhood, “House in Trees” takes advantage of some of the city?s most expansive views while adapting to a steep, wooded plot, with living trees sticking right out of the roof. A driveway pitched at a 30-degree angle welcomes guests into a spacious, brightly-lit garage transitioning into living spaces that perpetually prioritize wood in all its various forms as focal points.
Well known for its sprawl, Los Angeles doesn?t exactly have a ton of space for its ever-growing population, and rapid construction tends to favor tearing down older structures to build new ones. Mature trees are relatively rare within city limits, especially in areas surrounded by dense urban growth, so when this Echo Park plot was snapped up, nearby residents likely feared the loss of a treasured natural setting.
Thankfully, Anonymous Architects chose to work with the uniqueness of the site rather than against it, a fact that?s mad...