Assignment Title
Course
Date
The Tree House
FSTU3121
2011
Introduction:
“All my buildings are special to me. I look on them as children. First of all, there are just
a few lines on paper, then a model, then the site, the building process and finally the
project is finished and you are looking at your newly born son”: Frank Gehry.
Frank Gehry, one of the worlds foremost architects, works to a client brief and uses research &
analysis of the client requirements; experimental concept development looking at form &
function using drawing & model-making skills, to resolve all issue of the brief.
Model-making is also used to present the design in graphic (2D) or presentation model (3D) to
the client and public.
Frank Gehry’s Model
Brief
You are to research & analyze the requirements of a real (or imagined) client ensuring that both
function and form (style) are attended to.
Develop a concept, design and make a scale (1:20-1:50) model of a tree house that satisfies
the practical (functional) & stylistic (formal) requirements of your client.
The final design will also be presented as a graphic (2D) set in an appropriate setting.
In the attached drawings and photographs you will see some ideas for tree houses.
You can modify these designs if you wish, but do not make the house too large.
Approximately within 3000X3000mm, having a single room will be sufficient, although a small
balcony or a second story could be incorporated. You need to incorporate hiding, and crawl
spaces. You will make the windows and doors as cut-outs only, door and window framing can
be added later if you have time. Trap doors for entrance with rope or step ladder assess should
be incorporated. You can make your own tree from foam board or choose a suitable cut branch
from nature.
Desired Outcomes:
 Students will demonstrate an understanding of the use of literacy and numeracy
strategies in identifying formal components in art and design.
Numeracy strategies include addition, multiplication, and will focus upon proportional
reasoning (ratio & scale) and place value progression (conversion).
Teaching strategies:
Students will undertake a series of steps of the design process that mirror a real life situation Research & Analysis (visual diary)-20%
Exploration (visual diary)-20%
Application (portfolio)-30%
Communication (portfolio)-30%
Research & Analysis.
Research in the libraries, and on the internet for examples of treehouses. Copy examples by
hand or cut and paste into your visual diary (hard copy or digital).
Analyze these examples using the Research and Analysis sheet as a guide and make objective
comments (i.e is it functional?) in your visual diary. Add your subjective comments on the
treehouse (i.e. what do you like about it?).
Ensure you keep written acknowledgements of all sources whenever possible.
(Google “tree houses” to see a further range).
Exploration and Concept trialing:
Use drawings and quick models made from corrugated cardboard or any found planar material
to trial your ideas and practical aspects (function). Planar (flat) material is the choice for the
main structure of any Architectural or interior model. If you make the trial model to scale (see
Process steps 4&5) you will be able to use parts of the quick model as templates/patterns to cut
out the material for the final model.
Ensure you photograph the trial model before you dismantle it. These photographs can then be
put in you visual diary (hard copy or digital) as proof of your trial development.
Application/ Concept final model:
Superb white models can be achieved using ordinary thin card as in the illustration below:-
Auckland Museum
J. Laker model
The above models were constructed of multiple layers of card glued with craft glue or double
sided tape producing a reinforced structure.
A resultant white model (spatial model) creates the three dimensional form required, and is
devoid of any colour. If a presentation model with colour and texture is required, the model may
require considerable time and work. Alternatively the spatial model can be used to create a
graphic presentation that will enable the client to see the finished design in a realistic context.
Communication/ Graphic Presentation drawing.
The final presentation drawing in context (in a setting) can be done using photography, drawing
& rendering and computer graphics (see Process step 9).
Mose SaveaModel and final drawing of the Tree House
(anon.)
John Laker
Learning Activities/Process:
1. In a real situation you would have a client and a tree, and both of these would be set
before you were able to design an appropriate tree house.
2. Set the tree. Find a tree branch that will become your set tree for the brief. Fix the branch
to a stable base. Once the tree is made you shouldn’t change it any more than you could
if it were a full size tree in the client’s back yard.
3. Set the client. Find a real person to act as your client. This may be a person from your
family, a friend, or another student from your group. Interview this “client” and take notes
to set a “client profile” in your visual diary. The profile should set down all those aspects
of your client that you will need to know in order to design a functional and stylish
treehouse.
Profile- AgeGenderHeight, shoulder width, step height, reach (anthropometrics)- * (make use of
the supplied Anthropometrics chart and Scale Conversion maths sheet or
whiteboard notes).
Metabolism (active, passive, etc.)Likes and interests (e.g. space, rockets)Concerns and safety (e.g. some fear of heights)Wants (e.g. climbing net, periscope)Any other aspects that your client feels will be needed in the design4. Calculate the requirements of the brief and you client. Using your set tree, estimate an
approximate scale to make the treehouse. Imagine your client standing below the tree.
What height will the client be? Place your finger at the base of the tree at what you think
the height of your client would be. Measure this height with a 1:1 scale ruler. Note this
approximate scale height in your visual diary. Use the Anthropometric Chart for Children
(at the back of this brief) to find the height of your client based upon age. This chart is in
imperial measurement so you will need to convert to metric using the conversion formula
at the bottom of the chart. Divide the height shown in the Anthropometric Chart for
Children by the scale height you have measured. (ensure all measurement are in mm).
Choose a standard scale as shown in the Scale and Anthropometric calculation sheet
that is close to your answer (dividend). The scale should be between 1:20 to 1:50. All
calculations (shoulder width, step height etc.) of your client’s size and scale should be
shown with your client profile in your visual diary.
5. Use a base of 12-15 mm MDF to start the ground contours/base for the model.
Create a model “client figure” with the correct proportions and to the correct scale.
This figure can be made from foil, card, wire etc.
6. Research and think how children play, how they use their imagination when at play or in
a tree house… Conceptualise (trial) at least 5 designs using mind-mapping (text &
drawing) based on the model “tree” you have made or found and the client you have
profiled.
7. Choose one concept. Sketch a trimetric or diametric drawing from several angles to help
understand the various views around the house. Sketch the house, with side views and a
plan before you start to make the design. You may wish to trial ideas and details in 3D
using corrugated card or other quick modeling materials. Use masking tape at this stage
so you can undo and change components easily.
8. Cut out one wall, using foam board, on a flat cutting board, to scale, cutting out doors and
windows where indicated from your drawings. Photograph the model as it proceeds.
9. Sketch and photograph the model, with the figure, from a low viewing angle (point of
view) and use copies as practice for a final, rendered drawing (or PhotoShop
photograph), with a figure and background that will go into your Portfolio. Place sketches,
all research, the model photos, the final concept and comments/analysis in your visual
diary.
Note- much of this work will be used in your final portfolio and digital portfolios.
Materials and Tools:
Visual diary, drawing tools, A3 paper (plain), scalpel/craft knives, scale rulers, corrugated card
(boxes), thin card and/or foam board sheet, masking tape, hot glue gun & stick, craft glue or
double sided tape. When using card or foam board, use Scotch quick dry “Tacky Adhesive”.
MDF, or scrap timber from the workshop, could be used for the base. Or you could design your
own base using contoured foam board or card.
Assessment:
This assignment (brief) will be summatively assessed as part of your Visual Diary & Portfolio
marks.
Research & Analysis (visual diary)-20%
Exploration (visual diary)-20%
Application (portfolio)-30%
Communication (portfolio)-30%
The assessment will reflect your innovation to integrate the tree house on the tree chosen or the
tree you designed and made, and the client profile.
Children’s play (your client’s profile) has been considered in the design and layout enabling
imagination to flourish.
Use of materials and construction skills.
Presentation of your finished work.
Acknowledgements & bibliography:
Brief written by John Laker and further modified and edited by Rob Hooper


http://www.openlab.psu.edu/tools/calculators/proportionalityConstant.html
Henry Dreyfus & Associates
Scale and Anthropometric calculation.
Anthropometric Chart for Children