Tree-Inspired Pole House Has a Minimal Footprint to Stop Deforestation

Inspired by the mighty tree, Danish architect, <a href="https://www.behance.net/gallery/Special-Mention-Primeval-Symbiosis-Single-Pole-House/10913389" target="_blank">Konrad Wójcik</a> created an uplifting vision of a small, A-frame like cabin with a minimal footprint. Clear cutting and bulldozing has long been the standard to make way for a new housing development, but that comes at the cost of losing many trees. The <a href="https://www.behance.net/gallery/Special-Mention-Primeval-Symbiosis-Single-Pole-House/10913389" target="_blank">Pole House</a>, by contrast, is a tall, two person home mounted on a single pier foundation that allows it to fit snugly in a forest without making a huge impact. Outfitted with solar panels, Cradle To Cradle materials, a heat pump and other energy efficient strategies, the Pole House makes for an amazing forest retreat.

Konrad Wójcik designed <a href="https://www.behance.net/gallery/Special-Mention-Primeval-Symbiosis-Single-Pole-House/10913389" target="_blank">Pole House</a> for the <a href="http://www.d3space.org/competitions/" target="_blank">D3 Natural Systems International Architectural Design Competition</a> and wanted to create a home that had barely any environmental footprint.

He came up with an A-frame style with a profile that strongly resembles a pine tree and is mounted on a single pole.

The home also seeks to protest deforestation as the slender profile and small footprint can easily fit into a forest without cutting down trees.

In total, the home offers 61 sq m (656 sq ft) of space on four levels.

Designed for two people, the home is accessed via stairs from the ground into a mudroom and storage area at the bottom.

Next is the living room, kitchen and bathroom, followed by a work loft and finally a sleeping loft at the top.

Smart design, integrated storage, alternating tread stairs and space saving strategies all work to create a lot of functionality in a small space.

As for sustainability, the home would be built from <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/Cradle-To-Cradle">Cradle To Cradle</a> certified products including zinc cladding, engineered wood products, and cellulose insulation.

The home was inspired by the mighty conifer tree.

Then the design was modified to accommodate for solar and to create more space.

Energy efficient strategies were combined with eco friendly materials.

Efficient <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/led-lighting">LED lighting</a>, a ground source heat pump, radiant floor heating, daylighting and natural ventilation all work in conjunction to reduce energy use.

Photovoltaic panels mounted on the exterior produce electricity for the house, while rainwater collection provides water and an integrated bio digester manages the waste.