Sustainability Treehouse

8/20/2019 Sustainability Treehouse

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SUSTAINABILITY TREEHOUSE


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The Sustainability Treehouse, an interactiveinterpretive and Gathering facility in the forest,was conceived and created as a unique icon ofoutdoor adventure, environmental stewardshipand high performance building design. It

provides dynamic educational and gatheringspaces for exploring and understanding thesite and ecosystem at the levels of ground,tree canopy, and sky. It captures the wonder ofchildhood adventure and places environmentaleducation at the forefront of meaningful and

immersive outdoor experiences for thousandsof annual visitors.

Project Overview


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Project Owner !oy Scouts of "merica # Trinity$orks

Location %&' (ain Street Glen )ean $est zDesign Architect :Mithun;

Executive Architect/Architect of Record !*I(Project o!"#etion Date )uly, %+-Project ategor$ *ewonstructionProject %ite ontext/%etting : Rura#

&rownfie#d %iteProject '$"e:

/ducation 0 General1ublic "ssembly 0 General1ublic "ssembly 0 Social#(eeting

&ui#ding or Project (ross )#oor Area -,-23 square feetOther &ui#ding Descri"tion *ew&OMA )#oor area !ethod used* *o+ours of O"eration 4pen daily throughout

Spring, Summer, and 5all. losed during the $inter.'ota# "roject cost at ti!e of co!"#etion, #and exc#uded

63,3++,+++.++


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Design - .nnovation

ollaborating closely with multiplestakeholders, the designers led amultidisciplinary team toachieve a high7performance building that is ontarget for 8iving !uilding certification. The8iving !uilding hallenge requires the building

to produce and manage all of its own energy,water and waste on site. This pro9ect usesinnovative mechanical, electrical, and plumbingsystems such as a :,;2+7watt photovoltaicarray, two ;,+++7watt wind turbines, and a,+++7

gallon cistern and water cleansing system.Towering %2 feet above grade, the Treehouseis supported by a orten steel frameengineered to create a seamless fusion ofarchitecture and structure.


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The design of the Treehouse isfundamentally rooted in place,emerging from site and regionalfactors and influences. The primaryoutward expression is imparted bya recycled content weathering steel

structure, locally7harvested wood,and an aesthetic inspired by historicindustrial structures that requiredboth innovation and adaptation tothe challenging landscape. Thedesign also reflects the ingenuity of

=pioneering engineering,> achildhood educational traditionbased on team development oftowers and structures fromelemental materials and methods.

Regiona#/o!!unit$ Design


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The layering of the Treehouse parallels the layeringof its setting 0 from the forest floor to the canopy

and the sky. 1romoting the virtues ofenvironmental stewardship, building systemshave been made visible, becoming overtexpressions of site7responsive, sustainabledesign. The Treehouse is located within a

larger conservation and recreational areaserved by organi?ed transportation logistics.


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Documents

Sustainability Treehouse