fallen tree roots form scenic forest lookout by ulf mejergren in sweden

Ulf Mejergren crafts lookout from fallen trees

Architect and artist Ulf Mejergren conceived the idea of resurrecting a fallen tree and transforming it into the Zombie tree, an art piece that could serve as a lookout in a southern Swedish Forest. The architect collaborates with a couple running the Esperöd Farm near Lilla Edet to create a land art trail in their forest. Initially, they planned to use leftover materials from a traditional log cabin they were constructing. However, a severe storm struck shortly after their first meeting, toppling over 200 trees on the farm. Seizing the opportunity, they used the fallen trees as artistic material. To emphasize the resurrection theme, the structure is inspired by the ‘njalla,’ a traditional Sami building found in northern Sweden where an uprooted tree stands supported solely by its roots. 

all images courtesy of Ulf Mejergren

zombie tree draws inspiration from Swedish tradition

After selecting a spruce tree with largely intact roots, Ulf Mejergren and the farm’s owners cleared stones and dirt with a pickaxe and cut the tree to an appropriate length. The tree is placed on a flat patch in the forest and leveled with stones for stability. Using traditional techniques similar to those employed in their log cabin construction, they built a cross from two large logs taken from the upper stem of the fallen tree. This cross supports a platform covered with thick, peeled branches. The architect places a pyramid from four triangular walls of dead spruce branches on top of the platform, resembling a tree crown. A circular hole in the pyramid provides a panoramic view of the farm and surrounding lands. To access the platform, they drilled holes into the tree stem and inserted sticks to create a ladder. The resulting structure, named the Zombie Tree, is the first artwork on the new trail and symbolizes the resurrection of the land.

the architect conceived the idea of resurrecting a fallen tree and turning it into an art piece

a ladder made from sticks allows entrance to the Zombie Tree

a circular hole in the pyramid provides a panoramic view of the farm

the tree is placed on a flat patch in the forest and leveled with stones for stability

the architect uses techniques similar to those employed in the owners’ log cabin construction

project info:

name: Zombie Tree
architect / artist: Ulf Mejergren Architects | @ulfmejergrenarchitects
owners: Travis Child & Therese Corneliusson

location: Lilla Edet, Sweden

The project is funded by LEADER, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

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edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom