Drevodoma: what is it and what future awaits them

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

A log house on the edge of the forest beckons with its calmness and fresh air. Housing in the center of a metropolis provides convenience and opportunities. It is a pity, of course, that there are no comfortable houses in the middle of a green grove inside a busy city. However, such a unique combination can become a reality if OAS1S implements its bold project, which we want to tell you about.

The unit is not in vain woven into the name of the project. It symbolizes the natural unity of man with nature, and also indiscreetly indicates that this is the first of its kind, incomparable, in many respects a unique attempt to transfer eco-construction within the city limits and make it a massive and moderately expensive phenomenon. Thirdly, the unit is similar to a tree, which was the inspiration for Raimond de Hullu, the founder.

Raymond spent his childhood in the countryside in the south of the Netherlands, where he often visited the forest and day after day imbued with respect for nature. And after his father began to build his own house, the boy fell in love with architecture. Apparently, already in those distant times, a completely unusual formula began to emerge in his head.

Decades have passed, and the already formed architect offered the world his vision of an absolutely "green" symbiosis of nature and modern housing, aimed at improving the urban environment and its inhabitants. The concept is based on the so-called treecrapers - moderately compact dwellings with vertical landscaping, brought down into small settlements within forest plantations or existing parks. They look quite bizarre, but very exciting.

Such "villages" can be located both inside the preserved green islets on the map of any cities, and in newly developed quarters. So, on an area of 1 hectare, you can build about one hundred three- or four-story houses. Of course, roads and car parks are not provided here. Parking for electric vehicles and their refueling are available along the perimeter of the settlement.

The tree houses themselves are made exclusively from natural materials - recycled wood residues. They are equipped with all the necessary technologies to ensure full autonomy: a system for collecting and purifying water, receiving and storing heat, as well as solar panels for power supply. Of course, wood is often used in the decoration of premises. Huge windows on each of the floors face different parts of the world, which gives residents a certain degree of freedom. Land taxes and other related costs are shared among all tree owners.

A typical home has four floors with a total area of 160 squares. The living area of each storey is 24 square meters, the ceiling height is 3 meters. Several layout options are provided.

So when will we be able to grow tomatoes on our windowsill? Or feed the squirrels right from the window? Or pick mushrooms for dinner on the way home from work? I wrote to Raymond and asked what stage the project was at now, and he kindly commented on the state of affairs especially for the readers of Lifehacker.

Raymond de Hallou Architect, founder of OAS1S

The implementation of OAS1S has been agreed in the Netherlands (official announcement next month). Then Belgium and Germany are planned. In addition, there are several more international perspectives, but preparation, as usual, will take some time.

Probably, at first, the keys to the tree drives will not fall into the hands of ordinary citizens. And it's not about sky-high prices. The concept simply needs to be tested. Most likely, a pilot launch of something similar to an eco-resort will be carried out. This approach will reveal all the flaws of the project. The second more or less plausible scenario is government support, like the one that the New York authorities provide modular houses with micro apartments.

Anyway, it's great that it won't be limited to just renders! I thank Raymond and his team for an interesting idea and wish their brainchild of rapid growth. I hope you do the same in the comments.