It is important that the visitors have a variety of perspectives when experiencing the Tree Adventure Destination, it allows for greater excitement, which leads to greater interest and ultimately educating the visitor. All paths should lead to all of the pavilions so the story remains relevant, but there should be opportunities for visitors to dictate their own journey. Therefore this proposal features multiple walkways and paths to accommodate all types of people with various abilities. All of the pavilion spaces designs would vary and range from open to enclosed to add interest and excitement. All of the pavilions, walkways, catwalks, zip lines, and paths would be supported on freestanding structures that would not interfere with the trees.
The upper walkways bring out the adventure seekers who can traverse netted rope and plank bridges, spiral stairs, and possible zip lines or rock walls. The netted rope bridges and stairs are smaller in width but still allows for traffic in both directions for visitors to choose their own path. Netted sides accommodate safety but add excitement because of their transparency and shakiness. Visitors can survey the spectators below and the trees surrounding them while they traverse the walkways.
The main elevated walkway allows for everyone of all ages and abilities to access. It is a freestanding steel structure that varies in width depending on the activities on the walkway such as binocular stations, benches, and active areas like hanging net structures. The main walkway is twelve feet wide to comfortably accommodate two people side by side in both directions. It slopes gently and provides multiple exits to the forest floor. It is perforated stainless steel flooring to allow some transparency below the visitor’s feet and railings are minimal yet safe to provide views out.
The ground level path allows for everyone of all abilities to easily stroll the forest floor. At this level the path follows the natural terrain, and some instances has the possibility of trenching into the earth. Looking up you can see the excitement and movement from the people above. The path can vary in width but is roughly twelve feet wide to comfortably accommodate two people standing side by side in both directions. The path’s surface can transition from hardscape, to wood planking, to earth.
The Incognito Tree House Pavilion is a fully enclosed space that blends in with its surroundings, by literally reflecting it’s surroundings. This creates a scenario where an otherwise large floating object can almost feel as if it is not even there. It also acts as a fantastic viewing blind to view nature without disruptions. The pavilion would make a great gathering space for educational talks, art classes, bird feeder and birdhouse craft making, and in the colder seasons a warming hut. It would be held up by a tree-like steel structure. Some of the steel supports could penetrate the inside of the space to feel like a tree house inside, where visitor can sit down, relax, and enjoy the panoramic views. A precedent for this project would be the Tree Hotel in Harads, Sweden by Architects Tham & Videgård Arkitekter
The Tree Ring Pavilion is a cylindrical tunnel that appears like a fallen tree, where visitors can walk through and feel like they are in the heart of a hollowed out tree trunk. The inside of the pavilion is surrounded in arched glulam strips of varying thicknesses that undulate, giving the effect of the many layers of tree growth rings. The floor lighting emphasizes this by creating elegant highlights and shadow lines that creep up the walls. Included in the space are various display boards, tactile stations, and interactive media displays.