Architects: Tham & Videgård Arkitekter
Location: Harads, Sweden
Chief Architects: Martin Videgård and Bolle Tham
Collaborators: Andreas Helgesson, Julia Gudiel Urbano, Mia Nygren
Client: Tree Hotel / Brittas Pensionat, Britta Lindvall and Kent Lindvall
Project Year: 2008-2010
A tree hotel in the far north of Sweden, near the small village of Harads, close to the polar circle.
A shelter up in the trees; a lightweight aluminium structure hung around a tree trunk, a 4x4x4 meters box clad in mirrored glass. The exterior reflects the surroundings and the sky, creating a camouflaged refuge. The interior is all made of plywood and the windows give a 360 degree view of the surroundings.
The construction also alludes to how man relates to nature, how we use high tech materials and products when exploring remote places in harsh climates (Gore-tex, Kevlar, composite materials, light weight tents etc).
The functions included provides for a living for two people; a double bed, a small bath room, a living room and a roof terrace. Access to the cabin is by a rope bridge connected to the next tree.
To prevent birds colliding with the reflective glass, a transparent ultraviolet colour is laminated into the glass panes which are visible for birds only.
