The new Yellow Treehouse Restaurant by New Zealand based Pacific Environments Architects Ltd. (PEL) is a stunning architectural feat perched high above a redwood first. Appearing for all the world like an enormous chrysalis grafted onto a 40-meter-high redwood tree, the project is constructed of plantation poplar slats, redwood balustrading milled at the site, and makes extensive use of natural lighting throughout.
When approached by the Yellow Pages to design a treehouse, PEL jumped at the chance. “The tree-house concept is reminiscent of childhood dreams and playtime, fairy stories of enchantment and imagination,” say PEL. “It’s the treehouse we all dreamed of as children but could only do as an adult fantasy.” The project is indeed magical, located on a rise near the edge of a wood overlooking a stream. The eighteen seat cafe—10m wide and 12m high, with kitchen and lavatories on the ground—is sure to be a hit, but sustainability questions remain.
While we love the organic design of the treehouse and applaud its unique integration into the landscape, we wonder just how ‘green’ the project really is. Yes, glulam beams are often a great, renewable choice for green building with less waste and a smaller carbon footprint than steel or concrete. And when building with wood, local harvesting and milling produces the smallest footprint possible. With architectural merits like these, what’s to complain about?
The question is an ongoing architect’s dilemma; is a client’s political, ethical, religious and/or environmental affiliation important? The Yellow Pages is a case-in-point. The treehouse project is part of a large-scale marketing effort by Yellow Pages to promote their services. The campaign includes a spokes-model, a blog, live webcam, contests, and more. Nothing wrong with a little publicity, right?
However, every year in the United States alone 500 million directories are printed—enough for nearly 2 books for every person in the country—that’s 9 million trees harvested, 1.6 billion pounds of paper consumed, 7.2 million barrels of oil spent in processing, and so on. The E.P.A. estimates that directories account for up to 5% of total landfill waste. Should this make a difference to an architect? We think it should. What do you think?
+ Pacific Environments Architects Ltd.
7 Responses to “New Zealand’s Whimsical Yellow Treehouse Restaurant”
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Thanks so much for asking the right questions around fantastic design project. Supporting conscientious, creative design becomes more complicated every day. Your asking good questions inspired me to ask them also. Answers are in short supply.
Check out the website for the project @ http://www.yellowtreehouse.co.nz – the live webcam of the build is pretty cool!
This is a great treehouse! I am a treehouse builder my self and I love the use of the formed gluelams in this design. my only question do you get wet if it rains?
here is link to my treehouses http://www.davidrasmussendesign.com/category/treehouses/
Well yes its great in design and looks but from an Arborist´s point of view a totally not sustainable solution…..bolts and pipes straight trough the trunks, damaged rootarea and no response to any recommendations of Arborists giving advice.
http://www.nordictreecare.com
I think it is a great project and very inspirational. There may be some questions as to it´s environmental impact but why can´t we take the positive from it and move forward finding better solutions. Rather than be negative and put it down because it is not a perfect solution. Our future lies in Hope not negativity.
To the Architects well done. To the environmentalist how about supporting solutions rather than putting ideas down.
Well “winddncr” i do think your somehow right…. first of all, i´am certainly a positive thinker! And yes i totally agree on your point that we can learn from things, see the positive in it and move on….in this case those details have been pointed out and been mentioned to the people responsible for this and that should be critzized! I´am more than pro sustainable design but do it true and honest and dont ingnore these important facts and details connected to it! I´am more than willing and allways have been in puting up with information needed to help realising a projekt like this. From an architect point of view doubtless a great achievement but in the whole picture and terms of sustainability i think its not true in its approach! …..but hey lets move on and lets make the next one better
Someone you loves trees and been working with them basiclly my whole life 
Although it is a beautiful and innovative design, I must agree with NTC. Without allowances in the design for the life and growth of the tree, the cafe will be the death of it.