Konrad Wójcik has designed a house that has about the ecological-footprint of a tree. It’s made of recyclable and reuseable materials; it’s off the grid, running on geothermal and other natural energy sources; its main water source is rainwater; and it looks just like a tree, standing about 60 feet (18 meters) tall in the forest among the other trees.
“For most of the animals, trees are the best natural shelters against predators, moisture and weather. Coincidence? We must remember that in nature nothing is accidental. Everything has a reason and a purpose. It all balances out, just like this project," Wójcik’s concept statement says.
He has designed neighborhoods of these treehouses based on how they would work outside of urban centers in Poland, Australia, South America, China, and other regions. In each of the concept neighborhoods, the houses would be close to a central bus stop and a parking lot. The idea is to build up areas without deforesting, by using existing roads that run through the forests. It’s the “new urban sprawl,” Wójcik says.
The house has four levels. Its floor space is 200 feet squared (61.73 meters) overall, with the living room as the largest area, about 50 feet (14.5 meters) squared.
It is suitable for two people, but it can accommodate four. The recommended uses for the treehouses include rental as eco-hotel units, or as summer homes for families.
For a closer look at the design and more information, see Wójcik’s website.
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