Three Tree Pavilion

Location

Devonshire Garden, Cambridge

 

In collaboration with

Tisserin Engineers

 

Client

Railpen / Socius

 

Status

Competition winner

 

 

Our winning design for the Devonshire Gardens Pavilion competition, Three Tree Pavilion is inspired by the simplest form of shelter, the simple act of gathering beneath a tree. Entirely crafted from timber it is formed from three scultural trees which join to form a sheltered canopy with a rich green roof, giving the impression that the pavilion is simply an extension of the landscape, floating above the ground.

The sculptural forms of the tree are inspired by the beautiful ornate gothic fluted columns found in Cambridge’s famous ancient colleges but reinterpreted in an organic form to create tree rings which catch the light and draw the eye up-wards to the roof.

The pavilion has been developed in order to maximise accessibility and flexibility, with the trunks of the trees lightly touch the ground in only three places. Hollows within the trunk act as light wells, allowing natural light to filter through the canopy, illuminating the pavilion below and creating a welcoming atmosphere of dappled sunlight. The hollows also play an important role in drainage, excess water from the green roof is able to trickle down ‘rain chains’ in each hollow which also act as a structure for ivy to climb, creating a green vertical connection to the roof above.