stefano boeri installs circular wooden TREE-ROOM at arte sella in northern italy

stefano boeri has sited a circular wooden installation at arte sella, an open-air art museum in trentino, italy. titled ‘TREE-ROOM’, the work is described by boeri as ‘a room inhabited by three trees’ that allows humans and nature to exist in harmony. ‘you can enter and feel the difference between them and us: that of their lives and their time, intelligence and perceptions, movement and stability,’ explains the italian architect. ‘or, on the other hand, once you sit in front of them, you can grasp the affinities between us and them: biological, organic affinities of vital species that manifest themselves in the absolute individuality of each subject, of each specimen.’

all images by giacomo bianchi

for more than 35 years, arte sella has fostered a unique dialogue between the natural world and human artistic talent. designed for this context by stefano boeri interiors
, ‘TREE-ROOM’ blends into the environment in which it stands, adapting to the existing terrain. designed to embrace three of the site’s trees, the circular structure, which measures 12 meters (40 ft) in diameter, is made from FSC and PFSC certified alpine larch. supporting the circular discs, the foundations are made of ribbed plates of corten steel, which appear to rise from the ground.

serving as a private room or an open-air theater, the installation is walkable on various levels. it also serves as a lookout to admire both the natural landscape and the surrounding artworks. a sustainable, ecological, and locally sourced solution of iron oxide and apple vinegar has been used to color the larch surfaces and protect the installation against aging. see other projects at arte sella here, including a 5-meter-high wire mesh ruin by edoardo tresoldi.

project info:

name: TREE-ROOM
location: arte sella, trentino, italy
design: stefano boeri interiors

partners in charge: stefano boeri, giorgio donà
project manager: jacopo abbate 

team: esteban marquez, giovanni nardi, pierpaolo pepi