Architecture

Bamboo treehouse eco-hotel concept is at one with the birds

Bamboo treehouse eco-hotel concept is at one with the birds
one with the birds, by Beijing-based architecture and design collective Penda (Image: Penda)
one with the birds, by Beijing-based architecture and design collective Penda (Image: Penda)
View 18 Images
Penda's treehouse was designed for the AIM Legend of Tent competition (Image: Penda)
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Penda's treehouse was designed for the AIM Legend of Tent competition (Image: Penda)
If the design does end up being built, some modest touches of modern-living could perhaps be added (Image: Penda)
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If the design does end up being built, some modest touches of modern-living could perhaps be added (Image: Penda)
one with the birds, by Beijing-based architecture and design collective Penda (Image: Penda)
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one with the birds, by Beijing-based architecture and design collective Penda (Image: Penda)
The treehouse comprises interconnecting grids measuring 4.7 x 4 m (15.4 x 13 ft), which are made from sticks of bamboo tied together with rope (Image: Penda)
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The treehouse comprises interconnecting grids measuring 4.7 x 4 m (15.4 x 13 ft), which are made from sticks of bamboo tied together with rope (Image: Penda)
Several modules can be placed within the framework, including tent, toilet, and lobby (Image: Penda)
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Several modules can be placed within the framework, including tent, toilet, and lobby (Image: Penda)
The treehouse takes some design cues from the Native American Tipi (Image: Penda)
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The treehouse takes some design cues from the Native American Tipi (Image: Penda)
The treehouse comprises interconnecting grids measuring 4.7 x 4 m (15.4 x 13 ft) (Image: Penda)
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The treehouse comprises interconnecting grids measuring 4.7 x 4 m (15.4 x 13 ft) (Image: Penda)
Some of the modules proposed for the treehouse (Image: Penda)
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Some of the modules proposed for the treehouse (Image: Penda)
The treehouse is made from sticks of bamboo tied together with rope and no screws or nails are used anywhere in the hotel (Image: Penda)
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The treehouse is made from sticks of bamboo tied together with rope and no screws or nails are used anywhere in the hotel (Image: Penda)
Architectural drawing showing the binding of the bamboo (Image: Penda)
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Architectural drawing showing the binding of the bamboo (Image: Penda)
Architectural drawing showing the binding of the bamboo (Image: Penda)
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Architectural drawing showing the binding of the bamboo (Image: Penda)
Architectural drawing showing the binding of the bamboo (Image: Penda)
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Architectural drawing showing the binding of the bamboo (Image: Penda)
Image of the tent module (Image: Penda)
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Image of the tent module (Image: Penda)
Penda's treehouse was designed for the AIM Legend of Tent competition (Image: Penda)
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Penda's treehouse was designed for the AIM Legend of Tent competition (Image: Penda)
The treehouse is made from sticks of bamboo tied together with rope and no screws or nails are used anywhere in the hotel (Image: Penda)
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The treehouse is made from sticks of bamboo tied together with rope and no screws or nails are used anywhere in the hotel (Image: Penda)
The treehouse comprises interconnecting grids measuring 4.7 x 4 m (15.4 x 13 ft) (Image: Penda)
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The treehouse comprises interconnecting grids measuring 4.7 x 4 m (15.4 x 13 ft) (Image: Penda)
Several modules can be placed within the framework, including tent, toilet, and lobby (Image: Penda)
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Several modules can be placed within the framework, including tent, toilet, and lobby (Image: Penda)
The treehouse takes some design cues from the Native American Tipi, and like that nomadic structure, is re-usable, adaptable, and leaves no damage to the site used when it's time to move on (Image: Penda)
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The treehouse takes some design cues from the Native American Tipi, and like that nomadic structure, is re-usable, adaptable, and leaves no damage to the site used when it's time to move on (Image: Penda)
View gallery - 18 images

Bamboo is a very versatile material and holds a lot of promise in architecture, as seen by projects like the Blooming Bamboo storm-proof home and the affordable Bamboo Micro House. Another example of this comes via Beijing-based architecture and design collective Penda, and its treehouse eco-hotel concept, dubbed one with the birds.

Penda's treehouse eco-hotel was designed for the AIM Legend of Tent competition. The competition aims to buck the trend of big Chinese building projects by installing low-impact eco-hotels that encourage guests to connect with nature in several key locations in China.

The treehouse draws some inspiration from the Native American Tipi, and like that nomadic structure, is re-usable, adaptable, and leaves no permanent damage when it's time to move on. Indeed, Penda's design brief states that when its hotel has reached the end of its life, it can be easily dismantled, and the bamboo used as scaffolding, or to build another hotel.

If the design does end up being built, some modest touches of modern-living could perhaps be added (Image: Penda)
If the design does end up being built, some modest touches of modern-living could perhaps be added (Image: Penda)

The treehouse comprises interconnecting grids measuring 4.7 x 4 m (15.4 x 13 ft), which are made from sticks of bamboo tied together with rope (no screws or nails are used anywhere in the structure). The grids can be easily expanded horizontally or vertically, and multiple modules can be placed within the framework.

Some of the modules proposed by Penda include a 12 sq m (129 sq ft) single tent, a 20 sq m (215 sq ft) toilet, a 100 sq m (1,076 sq ft) lobby, and a two story (62 sq m/662 sq ft) "presidential" tent.

As it's still an early concept, we've no hard information on how Penda would (or even if) any electricity or amenities are provided within its hotel. However, if the design does end up being built, some modest touches of modern-living should be relatively simple to install, with a carefully-placed solar array here, a water catchment system there, and a composting toilet elsewhere – the idea is to connect with nature, after all ...

Sources: Penda, AIM Competition

View gallery - 18 images
3 comments
3 comments
BigGoofyGuy
I think that is really cool. I think it is neat since one can be 'one with nature' in an enviromental way.
Buellrider
Birds will kill themselves because of the reflections of trees on the glass surface. Birds will die becoming one with the glass.
Brian Mcc
Buellrider is right. Typical Eco-arrogance.