The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio
06/06/2019.
2019 Small Project Awards [Hot Springs, Arkansas] USA EEUU
metalocus, ASIER GOICOECHEA
metalocus, ASIER GOICOECHEA
Designed by modus studio and owned by the University of Arkansas, the treehouse seems to float on a slope of Ouachita Mountain in Garvan Woodland Gardens, Arkansas, United States. The project is so unique that this safe tree house arouses the curiosity of children and adults alike.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas. Photograph by Timothy Hursley.
Site plan. The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas.
Conceptual sketches. The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas.
Storyboard sketches. The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas.
Floor plans. The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas.
Sections. The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas.
Modus shop fabrication. The Evans Tree House at Garvan Woodland Gardens by modus studio and the University of Arkansas.
Modus studio tooks dendrology as inspiration to inspire its form and program, including multiple levels of spaces for children and adults that focus on connecting visitors with the surrounding forest landscape. The project has recently received one of the awards; AIA Small Project Award 2019.
Description of project by Modus studio
Nestled in a natural Ouachita Mountain hillside along Lake Hamilton at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the Evans Children’s Adventure Garden welcomed a new tree house to the grounds. This tree house is the first of three planned for the garden that will provide an interactive educational experience for visiting children as part of an ambitious plan to bring children back into the woods. The tree house uses a rich visual and tactile environment to stimulate the mind and body to strengthen connections back to the natural world, while accommodating the needs of all users.
This unique structure is a defining small project for modus studio. From design to fabrication they were able to merge their childhood-earned knowledge of the natural world with their hard-earned think, make, do philosophy. Because of their own mostly-rural upbringing, it is easy to take for granted their strong connection to the creeks, forests, insects, and animals of Arkansas. However, many children in the modern world are unfortunately disconnected from this type of play.
The underlying theme of dendrology, the study of trees and wooded plants, drives both the form and program of the structure. The 113 fins comprising the thermalized Arkansas-sourced Southern Yellow Pine screen creates a semi-transparent and an evocative form dynamically shrouding multiple levels of spaces for children and adults alike that refocus attention to the natural wonders of the forest canopy.
The mysterious form, creative play of shadow and light and sound, exploration of material, and adventure that the Tree House provides becomes a magical experience within the Ouachita Forest…easily bending among native pines and oaks.
More information
Architects
modus studio
Design team
Lead Architects.- Chris Baribeau, Josh Siebert, Suzana Annable, Jody Verser, Philip Rusk, Scott Penman, Jason Wright, Paul Siebenthal, Alex Cogbill, Reice Brummett, Kevin Brown
Collaborators
Civil engineer.- Ecological Design Group. Structural engineer.- Engineering Consultants, Inc. Exhibit designer.- Fromme Design
Client
University of Arkansas, Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design, Garvan Woodland Gardens
Contractor
CDI Contractors
Manufacturers
Sherwin Williams, Eaton's Lighting Division
Area
591 m²
Dates
Project.- 2018
Venue
Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States
Chris M. Baribeau. modus studio
modus studio. Originally founded in 2008, modus studio is a LEED Platinum certified architectural studio and fabrication shop rooted in Northwest Arkansas, formed by 26 people. Their shop and studio opens to the public on a regular basis for educational lectures, hands-on workshops, and professional collaborations. They constitute a collective that aims to bridge the design profession with architecture, graphic, prototyping, and fabrication work. They are interested in simple, low-tech design solutions that improve life quality of people.
