Volume Zero Competitions is back with its 2nd edition of the Tree House Architecture Competition. Calling for architects, designers, students, teachers, engineers, innovators, thinkers, and everyone else to be a part of the 24th edition of our architecture competitions. 

We all have always yearned for our personal space, one that takes us far away from our chaotic and stressful lives; our very own Home rooted in Mother Nature, one that reconnects us to our origins, rejuvenating our mind, body, and soul. We all aspire for a home that is not just an extension of our persona but is also an expression of our individuality and freedom.

Our Homes are the most significant architectural spaces through which we experience our surroundings. An intimate place that protects, shelters, heals, nurtures, and defines our perspective helping us establish relations to navigate through the chaotic world outside this envelope. Our humble abodes are being redefined with every passing day, the world is fast changing, and so are the homes with it. With the rise of concepts like Smart homes, Tiny Homes, Micro Homes, Homes today are versatile entities – doubling up as offices, play areas, work-out zones, and spaces for interaction and recreation, but at the center of all things is essentially a place to escape and rejuvenate our minds.

Growing up many of us have dreamt of living in a tree house, a fortress to protect and nurture everything we hold dear. An abode high up in the clouds, under the starry skies, amongst the tall trees, chirping sounds of birds and aromas of nature. A playscape for all our dear ones that fosters everyone around helping to fulfill our dreams cultivating a bond that stays. For most of us a tree house is one of our greatest childhood dreams triggering our wildest imaginations, for the lucky few it is a memory that they cherish till date. 

As adults, we continue to aspire for our very own Tree House, one that will fulfill our needs to lead productive lives. The Tree House is synonymous with freedom, independence, adventure, creativity, safety, warmth, fun, solitude, and many more emotions aspired by children and adults alike.

Can we imagine our own Tree House, nestled in the lap of nature, atop magnificent treetops and under starry skies?

"A tree is our most intimate contact with nature." George Nakashima.

Opportunity:

With ever growing population calling cities its home the pressure on its resources is tremendous that has resulted in strained living environment. Individuals are exposed to tremendous pressures at work, places of education, financial constraints, and urge to fit in the societal standards bringing humankind to its edge. With lack of breathing spaces within our urban environments and with overwhelming amount of information pushed to us every single day and with constantly degrading balance takes the better out of the most individuals. With little to no contact with our natural surroundings, all of us today dream of living more freely and openly with nature

Research proves that all living beings need ample sunlight and fresh air to function as happy, productive individuals. A consistent contact with our natural surroundings is proved to make humans happier, while also helping them form better interpersonal relationships. Such a contact with nature also helps invoke positive emotions amongst humans. We now have the opportunity to explore this vital relationship between ourselves and Mother Nature and the role well-integrated, sustainable architecture can play in amplifying this bond. 

The Tree House looks at redefining a home as an active part of Mother Nature, with all the necessary amenities, resources required for productive living. The Tree House can be visualized to re-imagine sustainability through innovation of maximum usable space in a minimum footprint, suspended between the earth and sky, on spectacular treetops.

Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you. —Frank Lloyd Wright.

Challenge

We challenge you to go on a nostalgic trip down memory lane and picture a lighthearted home that prioritises solitude and fostering inner tranquility. to picture a life spent in the midst of the great outdoors, beneath the starry sky, and suspended amid the majestic trees. The Tree House should have a unique, imaginative, and sustainable design. It is imperative that the designed proposal facilitate communication between the internal rooms and external surroundings. The suggested design ought to be carefully thought out and shield consumers from the elements of the natural world.

The Tree House would be the primary residence for 2 individuals and the area of the proposal should not exceed 300 sq. ft built up. Proposals may consider spatial flexibility fulfilling all the needs of their users. The Space program for the proposal must include but is not limited to spaces to play, rest, work, eat, cook, clean, sanitize, and unwind. Participants are free to add any other function to the Tree House proposals.

The design should center on a unique character, one that reinforces and maximizes our relationship with Nature.

Client Interaction is one of the critical components of the design proposal. For this competition, entrants may assume an individual, couple, or a genre of people, based on the design concept.

The proposed design may also consider modern technological advancements in architecture to make the tree-house archetype adaptive to its surroundings, making it a comfortable home by eliminating any type of hazards.

Site Selection

Participants are to decide the location for the proposal, such as coastal areas, riverbanks, mountains, forests, urban environments, or even in your backyards. Choose your tree, dare more, and design your treehouse.

Awards

Prizes of total USD 4000 broken down as follows: 

1st Prize: USD 2000 + Certificates + Publication 

2nd Prize: USD 1200 + Certificates+ Publication 

3rd Prize: USD 800 + Certificates+ Publication 

10 Honourable mentions: Certificates  

Winners and Honourable Mentions will be published on the Volume Zero Competitions website and in several international architecture and design magazines.  

To show our appreciation, all the participants would receive a participation certificate.

Schedule

Early Bird Registrations: 18th April 2024 to 12th July 2024
Standard Registrations: 13th July 2024 to 31st July 2024
Closing date for Submissions: 2nd August 2024
Announcement of winners: 10th October 2024

Eligibility

Tree House 2024 – The Architecture Competition is open to all. We invite architects, designers, students, teachers, engineers, innovators, thinkers, companies, organizations, and everyone interested in the mission of the competition to submit their ideas. No professional qualifications are necessary.

Jury

Chinmay Laiwala, Neogenesis+Studi0261, India

Gonçalo Marrote, Madeiguincho, Portugal

Harikrishnan Sasidharan, NO Architects Designers and Social Artists, India

Huynh Tran, H.2 Workshop, Vietnam

Ivan Esqueda Martínez, Em-Estudio, Mexico

Jigar Asarawala, Neogenesis+Studi0261, India

Olav Bruin, Atelier Nomadic, Netherlands

Sergio Araneda, SAA Arquitectura + Territorio, Chile

Sigurd Larsen, Sigurd Larsen Design & Architecture, Germany

Tarika Asarawala, Neogenesis+Studi0261, India

Yang Fei, Field Object Lab, USA

Registration fees

Early Bird Registrations: 

Participants from India – 1800+18% GST = INR 2124 (per team) 

Participants from Other Countries - 70 + 18% GST = USD 82.6 (per team) 

Standard Registrations

Participants from India – 2400 + 18% GST = INR 2832 (per team) 

Participants from Other Countries – 85+ 18% GST = USD 100.3 (per team)

Read more information about the competition on the website. 

Top image courtesy of Volume Zero.

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