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