Elevated Lightness – PH2 Treebox by Wernerfield

Reminiscent of a traditional bird box form set amongst the canopy of the surrounding trees, PH2 Treebox remains true to its naming. Wernerfield explores a textural approach through deepening the finishes that wrap the form of the self-contained office and guest house structure, creating an offering that sits recessive and complementary to the landscape.

Any addition to an existing home needs to fulfil several criteria, namely, to be both responsive and sensitive to the existing form and to also sit comfortably on site. In proposing PH2 Treebox, Wernerfield explores the idea of how the outer form could meet the prescribed conditions and feel anchored in place in its own way. As its own retreat, the compact spaces contain a dedicated office independent from the main home and serves as a guest house as needed. By elevating the overall volume upward, the linear and contained outer shell captures the ideals of a modernist approach, with a curation of design icons from the same era sitting within. The thinly engineered structure supporting from underneath accentuates a feeling that the residence is floating, while also providing shelter and covered parking underneath, adding a layer of uniqueness in the intersection with the terrain.

Framed openings of large panels of glass reduce the barrier between inside and out, bringing an animation from the changing landscape into the experience of the residence.

In an optimising of views out and sitting within the natural elements, the raising of the form creates a sense of immersion. Aligning more with the sightline of the birds as they sit amongst the tree canopies surveying the grounds, the openings reorient the human perspective, both upward and outward. Framed openings of large panels of glass reduce the barrier between inside and out, bringing an animation from the changing landscape into the experience of the residence.

The deliberate separation and containment of the addition as its own entity ensures the residence becomes a destination of its own, and although the site is shared, the opportunity of distance makes use of the generous area while also enhancing a feeling of disconnection.
Clad in charred timber panels using the Japanese traditional method of shou sugi ban, the form feels secondary, with the size somewhat minimised as a result. By contrast, the interior is clad in a lightened timber, softening the cocooning of being surrounding by nature and increasing a sense of scale at the same time.

By elevating the overall volume upward, the linear and contained outer shell captures the ideals of a modernist approach, with a curation of design icons from the same era sitting within.

In its submersion amongst the lush greenery, PH2 Treebox emerges as a calm meditative experience. Wernerfield ensures the Dallas home is both contextually responsive and consciously sits lightly on the earth below.