mur mur lab’s ‘floating’ treehouse combines a simple geometry with colored strings

mur mur lab continues to explore the spatial performance of simple geometries with the design of a treehouse in shanghai. composed of three perpendicular pillars that support differently oriented rings and its vertical load, the installation gently embraces the tree in the air, as if almost floating around it. 

all photos by hozi

‘it’s a dress designed for the tree,’ mur mur lab explains of the light and almost transparent structure, which does not block visitors’ sight from looking towards other buildings, or stop the rain and sun from passing through it. three horizontal poles connect to the trunk at different heights to resist horizontal disturbances, while white strings are weaved into a net, offering visitors a surface to lay and rest on. during its temporary existence, the treehouse hosted a series of small exhibitions, providing a special experience to those climbing up and down the tree to see the show.

people sitting in the treehouse

axo drawing – treehouse in the environment

structural drawing

people laying and reading in the treehouse

front view

night view

project info:

architecture firm: mur mur lab

lead architects: zhi li, murong xia, yubing wang, xiaoyu he

location: shanghai

materials: nylon cord, steel tube, white paint coating

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.