WH studio constructs cluster of treehouse cabins at senbo resort hangzhou in china

WH studio has constructed a cluster of treehouse cabins at the hotel district of senbo resort hangzhou in china. nestled in the mountainous landscape, the group of wooden cabins blends in with the surrounding trees. each cluster comprises six cabins that guests can access via an outdoor, zig-zag path that resembles climbing, while exterior terraces at different heights appear like ‘tree branches’ for outdoor activities.all images by liu xiaoli 

WH studio has conceptually developed each treehouse at the senbo resort hangzhou as a ‘big tree’ composed of three main elements: the path, the platform and the cabin. these units are then stacked on top of each other, creating the experience of ‘tree climbing’ as guests move around. all together, the cabins appear as clusters of nests, inserted within the rich vegetation of the resort. ‘after careful consideration, we gradually clarified the concept,’ notes the studio. ‘it is not the solitary living but the state of gregariousness on the tree that can strengthen the characteristics of nesting the most – a group of cabins landing on the branches’ emerged as the initial image.’

the concepts of ‘duality’ and ‘balance’ are implemented throughout all the aspects of the design. ‘based on the commercial character of the project and the mountain environment, we focused on the balance between abstraction and image, indoor and outdoor, geometry and nature,’ adds WH studio. the simulated dead tree trunk directly evokes the image of nesting in nature, but avoids over-realism with lush foliage. the single sloping roof has no eaves and maintains simple geometric features, while the cabin façades echo images of the surrounding forest.

considering that the treehouses are popular among families and the youth, the six cabins of each cluster adopt two shapes: double slope roof with concave balcony, and cut corner four slope roof with convex balcony. ‘the latter further strengthens the fairytale effect,’ says the chinese studio. ‘in the original design, there is a slide from the platform to the ground to add fun. when the lights come on at night, it seems that the story of the “seven dwarfs” is about to begin.’