A House Built Around Trees In A Densely Populated Area

The site on which this house stands is a very unusual and peculiar one. It’s surrounded by a densely populated urban setting and yet it looks so green and in close connection with nature. The site is populated with mature trees which have been preserved and integrated into the project in interesting ways.

The house is mostly cantilevered over the edge of the hillside, with a big tree growing right through it
The house is mostly cantilevered over the edge of the hillside, with a big tree growing right through it
The topography of the site is unusual both because of the slope and the positioning of the house
The topography of the site is unusual both because of the slope and the positioning of the house

The project was conducted by Anonymous Architects and completed in 2015. Its primary goal was to take advantage of the unusual nature of the site and, most importantly, to preserve the natural elements (the trees and vegetation) when practical and possible. This led to some intriguing design details such as the fact that there’s a large tree running through the house.

The covered parking area and a roofed terrace serve as transitional spaces between indoor and outdoor
The covered parking area and a roofed terrace serve as transitional spaces between indoor and outdoor
A mature and very tall tree rises through the floor and pierces the ceiling, its trunk becoming a part of the home
A mature and very tall tree rises through the floor and pierces the ceiling, its trunk becoming a part of the home

The house was built close to the center of the site, on a steep hillside. Most of it cantilevers over the edge, this being a strategy used by the architects in order to minimize the size of the foundation and as a result to make the yard as big as possible in order to preserve the trees and the vegetation growing on it. One of the trees, the largest one on the site, grows through the house. Actually it was the house that was built around it, floor and roof and all.

Other slightly smaller trees can be seen around the house. They offer shade and privacy
Other slightly smaller trees can be seen around the house. They offer shade and privacy

 

The interior area is organized into two separate zones with a certain flexibility of the layout
The interior area is organized into two separate zones with a certain flexibility of the layout

The interior spaces are organized into two volumes. One of them houses two bedrooms and serves as a cozy everyday home for a family of four. The other unit only has one bedroom and serves as an office as well as an entertainment area. This section of the house is actually pretty flexible and can double as a guest house.

This staircase is cleverly disguised as bookshelves, serving a double purpose
This staircase is cleverly disguised as bookshelves, serving a double purpose
One of the volumes serves as a home office and entertainment area while the other contains 4 bedrooms
One of the volumes serves as a home office and entertainment area while the other contains 2 bedrooms

The interior design is simple, a blend of modern and traditional with some subtle rustic hints. An abundance of wood was used throughout, giving the rooms a warm and welcoming look and ensuring a pleasant and comfortable ambiance. Sliding doors separate the two sections and a hallway stands between them. At the same time, the rooms are also connected to the views and their surroundings through large windows that overlook the valley.

The kitchen features a lovely island which seems to be built using reclaimed wood
The kitchen features a lovely island which seems to have been built using reclaimed wood

 

The views are a defining characteristic of the house and they can be admired from all major spaces
The views are a defining characteristic of the house and they can be admired from all major spaces
The bathrooms have surprisingly large windows which ensure a bright and open decor
The bathrooms have surprisingly large windows which ensure a bright and open decor