Elizabeth's Tree House: A Therapeutic Oasis in Architecture

McCauley Daye O'Connell Architects' Award-Winning Design Blends Healing and Innovation

The design, located in the heart of a camp in Co. Kildare, Ireland, is a blend of fun and functionality. The building, imagined as an enchanted portal, is enveloped by nature and forms connections with the lake, countryside, and forest life. The design features a radiating diagrid pattern that weaves and forms a new building adapting to the landscape and characteristics of the wider grounds and structures. The lines between indoor and outdoor spaces are blurred with irregular shapes and floating terraces, while vibrant colours add a sense of fun and energy.

Elizabeth's Tree House is not just a visual marvel but also a marvel of sustainable design. The building is heavily insulated, achieving an A3 energy rating, with the primary timber structure, walls, roofs, and external cladding derived from sustainable sources. The timber cladding is protected using Sioo, an environmentally-friendly, water-based system, while a secondary aluminum sub-frame allows the timber cladding to be panelised to match the geometric grid lines of the diagrid design.

The dining space is bright and airy, with large areas of glass in the walls and roof maximising natural light and capitalising on views of the rolling landscape. The structurally expressive roof, punctuated with four large triangular roof lights, is supported by four primary steel/timber “tree” columns, continuing the dialogue between inside and outside. The internal space is also connected to an external deck via a series of sliding doors, allowing for universal access onto an external space overlooking the existing pond.

The design of Elizabeth's Tree House is a testament to the role of architecture in the healing process. The pavilion echoes the therapeutic nature of the camp, where a deep connection with nature at all levels promotes user comfort, relaxation, healing, and enchantment. The design was developed using the therapeutic recreation model, with the building not only respecting and preserving its natural habitat but fully integrating into it.

Elizabeth's Tree House is a demonstration of architecture’s role in the healing process. Serving children recovering from serious illnesses, the space forms a timber oasis in the middle of an oak forest. A dynamic yet functional timber diagrid system includes an expressive roof, extensive glazing, and a colorful larch cladding, creating an interior dining space that forms a dialogue with the surrounding lake and forest. Deep connection with nature at all levels promotes user comfort, relaxation, healing, and enchantment.

Elizabeth's Tree House has been recognised for its innovative design and therapeutic impact, winning the Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2020. This award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. These designs, admired for their strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.