A House Among The Tree Tops That Brings Old Memories To Life

Built in the same spot where the owner’s childhood family home once stood, this house from Yucatan, Mexico has a really special way of interacting with nature and in particular with the beautiful old trees that have been growing on the site for decades. The project was entitled Life on the tree and was completed in 2019 by architecture studio LAAR. At the core of the project stands a desire to bring beautiful old memories to life.

The house is suspended above the ground, essentially consisting entirely on a second floor
The house is suspended above the ground, essentially consisting entirely on a second floor
The ground floor is an open outdoor area with a swimming pool and patio
The ground floor is an open outdoor area with a swimming pool and patio

The old stone walls of the owner’s childhood home still stand although everything else has long disappeared. These and the old trees are the only remnants of the past. Through this project, the architects wanted to allow the owner to relive some of the beautiful memories that they have of this place. Some of the most vivid ones are of them climbing these very trees so a design decision was made to turn this into a sort of modern tree house

The new house occupies the same lot as the old family house that used to sit here
The new house occupies the same lot as the old family house that used to sit here
The cantilevered volume creates a series of sheltered spaces below
The cantilevered volume creates a series of sheltered spaces below

The stone wall ruins were preserved intact and now delineate what is basically the ground floor of this place. It’s actually open patio-like space. The actual house is raised above the ground, sheltered beneath the big tree canopies that form a green roof over it. The cozy indoor areas are suspended between the branches of the trees, allowing the inhabitants to feel as if they’re floating. The trees actually go through the house itself, going through holes in the floor and allowing this place to truly feel like a tree house. 

A couple of swings adds a playful touch to the area below the house
A couple of swings adds a playful touch to the area below the house
The old trees grow through the house itself and create a green roof overhead
The old trees grow through the house itself and create a green roof overhead
The support pillars extend through the concrete floor and transform into a hammock stand for this terrace
The support pillars extend through the concrete floor and transform into a hammock stand for this terrace
The interior of this modern tree house is bright and has a casual and cozy vibe
The interior of this modern tree house is bright and has a casual and cozy vibe
The old stone wall ruins shelter a cozy little lounge area beneath the house
The old stone wall ruins shelter a cozy little lounge area beneath the house
The entire second floor is like a big viewing platform
The entire second floor is like a big viewing platform