Fallen Tree

Rooted in nature in more ways than one, this high-performance family residence draws inspiration from a rainforest’s life cycle. With a layout that features a long, leaning structure and a tall, tilted tower, the plan and form of the house evoke the ecological form and function of nurse log and stump relic formations. To achieve this unconventional build, and protect the site and minimize excavation, custom building techniques were amply used. 

To minimize site disturbance during construction, a 12-inch-thick super-insulated panelized shell was prefabricated and lifted into place. To minimize heat loss, the entire slab foundation sits upon a thick cushion of foam. And, without overhangs, the house provides light and water to budding vegetation—just as a natural nurse log would.