'sylvascope' treehouse by sebastian cox for harewood biennial 2022

radical acts: ‘sylvascope’ responds to the 2022 harewood biennial theme

The Harewood Biennial returns this year under the theme of ‘Radical Acts’, inviting makers to explore the role of craftsmanship in solving current crises. British designer Sebastian Cox took part in the program with his ‘Sylvascope’ treehouse, which explores the benefits of cutting down trees in mismanaged woodlands and celebrates timber as a sustainable craft material.

The wooden structure is built on the property of Harewood House, a mansion in West Yorkshire, where the Biennial is currently being held.

all images via Sebastian Cox on Instagram (excl. full header)

spotlighting conservationism and woodland management

The ‘Sylvascope’ treehouse is part of a bigger management plan that will help restore biodiversity in a patch of woods near the Harewood estate. As Cox (see more here) explains, a mismanaged woodland is one where tall trees take up every square meter and leave no room for shrubs and the wildlife dependent on them to thrive. Cutting down trees resolves that issue; it creates clearings where sunlight can reach the ground and ultimately help new life grow.

Taking to Instagram, Cox commented: ‘As a society we talk a lot about planting trees, but nobody is brave enough to talk about cutting them down. Woodlands thrive under management, which almost always involves felling trees. I wanted to bring this conversation into a structure within a woodland being brought back into management, in the grounds of Harewood House, for the public to contemplate as they visit.’

The ‘Sylvascope’ treehouse is designed as a viewing platform nestled between two tree trunks. It’s built out of larch, Douglas fir, and oak sourced from the Harewood estate. Its woven facade is met by a ladder and two openings on opposite sides. ‘It focuses your view over specific areas on woodland management and allows you to see that change happening in those areas over the coming years,’ elaborates Cox. ⁣

From sawing to planking and weaving, the design resorts to and celebrates different building techniques unique to woodwork crafts. The extra timber left behind was cut up and set aside to sell and/or distribute to locals and other artisans.

The treehouse will be displayed until July 2022 in Harewood House.