Jacobschang Architecture

Half-Tree House

Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina

HALF-TREE HOUSE

Jacobschang Architecture

AREA
360 ft²

LOCATION
Sullivan County, United States

CATEGORY
Houses

YEAR
2016

PHOTOGRAPHS
Noah Kalina

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Mike Jacobs

MANUFACTURERS
JØTUL, Garnier Limb, Rixson

Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina
Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina

Text description provided by architect.

This 360 sf. structure is located on a remote 60 acre, privately owned second-growth forest in Sullivan County, NY.

Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina
Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina

It is sited on a steep, isolated area of the property with no vehicular access, no piped water and no electricity.

From the outset, the project outlined two formidable directives: to design a structure that can be constructed by amateur weekend builders & to consider a limited construction budget.

Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina
Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina

The topography presented a difficult challenge. In an effort to minimize sitework and to eliminate the need for large footings, retaining walls and pumped concrete, the architecture is lifted above the ground and relies upon support from the trees.

Sonotube footings anchor the upslope corners at grade while half of the weight of the structure is distributed, via Garnier Limbs, to two existing trees.

Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina
Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina

Engineered wood beams form the perimeter with standard nominal lumber for all intermediate framing.

Three 8’x8’ steel-tube pivot doors, the largest single expense, were fabricated offsite and installed, weatherstripped and fitted onsite with dual-insulated glass.

Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina
Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina

Exterior and interior boards were milled and kiln-dried from the Eastern Pines felled on the property.

To minimize maintenance and to withstand long wet winters, exterior boards are treated using traditional Scandinavian pine-tar.

Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina
Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina

Interior walls and ceiling are painted and the floor is protected with a clear matte sealant.

The space is heated with a highly efficient Jotul wood stove and power, if needed, is drawn from a portable generator.

Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina
Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina

The entire construction was performed by its two owners, and in the true spirit of New England barnraising, with a team of dedicated weekend support


Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina
Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina
Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina
Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina
Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina
Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina
Half-Tree House
© Noah Kalina


Half-Tree House
Elevation
Half-Tree House
Plans


Half-Tree House
Model. Image © Jacobschang Architecture
Half-Tree House
Model. Image © Jacobschang Architecture

Jacobschang Architecture
T +1 212 4818455
Jacobschang Architecture
39 E 13th St 4th floor, New York, NY 10003, United States