The Polish Treehouse | Pacific Environments NZ Ltd : Architects

From Warkworth, New Zealand to Cape Rozewie, Poland; the success of the Yellow Treehouse Restaurant (near Warkworth just north of Auckland), inspired Budizol S.A. (Budizol Sp.zo.o.S.K.A) –a nationally respected Polish resort, housing and commercial development Company based in Wloclawek, Poland, to commission Pacific Environments Architects from Auckland, to design a Treehouse Restaurant for their new resort in Cape Rozewie. Budizol’s brief was to design an iconic landmark structure that added to the relaxed resort holiday feel, and put Rozewie on the map as a holiday destination. The resort is currently under construction and the treehouse is waiting for official approval, being adjacent sensitive coastal Conservation land. The unique site on the Baltic Coast is the most northern point of Poland adjacent the Cape Rozewie Heritage Lighthouse with its own unique stories. The local trees were not big enough to support a treehouse structure (based on the original design), so the Architects came up with a design incorporating a ‘structural trunk’ that fully supports the treehouse and acts as a services duct. To meet the brief of a café/restaurant, lookout and kitchen area, the plan comprises of two circular adjoining and interlocked treehouses, one for the kitchen, the other the seating area. A separate structure supports the access –a lift and circular stairs. The floor is elevated approximately 10 metres from the ground to create a separation from the land, allowing a connection with the views –trees, beach and the sky. It can accommodate 25-30 guests in an especially intimate fairy-tale style, for full summer fun and closed up around the fire for winter cosiness against the elements. The Treehouses are designed to be an integral feature of the local coastal wooded landscape and the wider environment of sand and sea, a special part of the holiday experience for Cape Rosevia Friends and Family Resort (Rozewie Resort). It is glimpsed from the entrance as it peeps through the indigenous trees, invoking a fun holiday-feel for guests on arrival away from the city stress. Materials of mainly timber for the structure and exterior fins are selected from sustainable sources, with internal glazing offering wide panoramic vistas. The intention is for low reliance on external energy sources using solar where possible; collection and reuse of rainwater; natural cooling –cross-flow ventilation in the summer and well insulated and solar heated for the colder months. Budizol’s advertising describe the resort as follows…. "In the Cape Rosevia Friends and Family Resort, you can walk barefoot on the grass. You can show your children how to build sandcastles and weave garlands of daisies. You will find you have time to swing in the clouds and be blissful doing nothing. You will have plenty of opportunities to treat yourself. After all, holidays are for letting yourself be spoiled and with the luxury of being well looked after." The project has a remarkable coincidence and connection; it is within a short distance to the ancestral village (Prabuty) of the architect, who’s family (Eissing) emigrated to New Zealand in 1873.