Michael Shernick - Tree House

Brief: Design to the highest and best use for 530 Broadway, Denver, Colorado

My design is based on the metaphor of a tree house. It will function as an urban farm, grocery store, and social gathering site, using simple building methods and materials, yet achieving a complexity that is similar to a tree

Site is highlighted in yellow

Concept sketch of a tree

Concept sketch of a treehouse in a temperate tree as compared to a tropical tree

Step 1: Maximize parking

Step 2: Establish column grid; these are the trunks of the tree

Step 3: Add steel structure; this is the branches of the tree canopy

Step 4: Contain spaces for use; the tree house itself

Step 5: Add stairs, grates, guards and walkways

Step 6: Add planters and ladders for the urban farm; this is the green foliage of the tree canopy

Plan perspective view with shadow

South elevation in isometric view with shadow

Transverse section in perspective view with shadow

Perspective view of grand staircase from the ground floor

Perspective view at the top of the grand staircase, looking across the urban farm structures

Axonometric view; geothermal system is shown below ground; it is the root system of the trees

Interior perspective view

Street level perspective view showing scale