African Design Magazine October 2016 | Page 71

Awards The Tree House Constantia, Residential Category Winner Winner of the Residential Architectural Category, The Constantia Tree House is a custom designed residence that embodies both simplicity and luxury. Getting all steel components to a sloped site without direct vehicle or crane access meant using both a sleigh and then chain blocks attached to two I-beams on the top of the scaffolding. “This project really stood out for me. I think it’s a very special structure. Small, but very special.” – Prof. Alex Elvin, WITS University, Engineering. One enters the floating building by means of a weathering steel bridge with a timber deck walkway. The lowest floor contains a living area and kitchen, with two double volumes and a circular stair linking the living area visually and physically to the bedroom level above. Large sliding doors, 6m high, open up the living level to a balcony overlooking the estate’s gardens A circular stair, with sculptural treads carved from solid standing laminated oak, and supported on weathering steel steel reaches, lead up to the bedroom level (with bathroom), and then further up to a roof deck with views over the Constantia Valley. The structural system was executed in laser-cut weathering steel plate, bent to form facetted columns, branch-like arms and rings. There are 4 structural column clusters, each consisting of 4 weathering steel columns held together with the arms and rings, to support spruce and western red cedar floor beams. The columns are bolt fixed by means of a large circular baseplate on conical concrete pad footings. There is no steel connection between any of the steel structural columns but the timber floor plate construction. The stair “drum” consists of a half circular lattice framework of mild steel hollow tubing and angles – bracing the structure as it is Click here to read more about the project WATCH Click here to view a video on the project