If you find hiking trails and walkways that stay on the ground a bit passé, or maybe if you just never outgrew your love of treehouses, then you may want to turn your attention to the forest of Gisselfeld Klosters Skove, about one hour south of Copenhagen in Denmark.
This preserved forest is about to be home to The Treetop Experience, a 600-meter treetop walkway that connects to a 45-meter-tall spiraling observation tower. The walkway and the observation tower, designed by EFFEKT, are one continuous ramp accessible by all regardless of physical condition. The walk will follow and cross a creek, lakes, and wetlands.
Rendering courtesy EFFEKT.
The 600-meter-long path is split into a higher and a lower walkway and passes through different varieties of forest while taking care to minimize any disturbance to the environment. The high walkway passes through the oldest parts of the forest and features a series of activities for different user groups to learn about and enjoy the forest. The low walkway and the tower are both located in the younger areas of the forest.
Among the features along the path will be an aviary containing different species of birds; a flat loop that allows visitors to walk around a tree crown and study the treetops up close; and the Amphi, a stepped seating pocket that allows walkers to take a rest or enjoy the forest view.
Rendering courtesy EFFEKT.
The tower is the culminating feature along the walkway. It takes on an hourglass shape with a thin waist and an enlarged base and crown. This shape makes the tower more stable, increases the observation deck area at the top, and allows for better contact to the forest canopy. The tower rotates 120 degrees, which allows the use of straight structural elements that result in a stiff, efficient, and visually striking structure.
The Treetop Experience will be a component of Camp Adventure, an existing adventure sports facility that includes treetop climbing and zip lines, and will begin at the Camp Adventure Farmhouse.
Rendering courtesy EFFEKT.
Rendering courtesy EFFEKT.
Image courtesy EFFEKT.
Rendering courtesy EFFEKT.
Related Stories
| Apr 6, 2012
Flat tower green building concept the un-skycraper
A team of French designers unveil the “Flat Tower” design, a second place winner in the 2011 eVolo skyscraper competition.
| Apr 5, 2012
5 tips for a successful door and window retrofit
An exclusive tip sheet to help the Building Team manage door and window retrofits successfully.
| Apr 4, 2012
San Antonio animal hospital earns LEED Platinum certification
Middleman Construction Company builds the city?s first commercial building to earn certification.
| Apr 3, 2012
Product Solutions
Two new PV systems; a lighter shelf; and fire alarm/emergency communication system.
| Apr 3, 2012
Educational facilities see long-term benefits of fiber cement cladding
Illumination Series panels made for a trouble-free, quick installation at a cost-effective price. The design for Red Hawk Elementary School stems from the desire to create a vibrant place for kids to learn. In an effort to achieve this design, RB+B Architects selected Nichiha USA to provide a durable yet modern, contemporary exterior finish.
| Apr 2, 2012
Gilbane honored for sustainability efforts in Indianapolis
Emmitt J. Bean Federal Center project team for their role in advancing sustainability in the city.
| Mar 29, 2012
Construction completed on Las Vegas’ newest performing arts center
The Smith Center will be the first major multi-purpose performance center in the U.S. to earn Silver LEED certification.
| Mar 28, 2012
Milestone reached for LEED-certified buildings?
Total number of major global green buildings now stands at 12,000.
| Mar 28, 2012
Holden Cancer Center opens at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
The new cancer clinic provides a significant increase in patient space from the prior facility, which was located in an adjacent building.
| Mar 27, 2012
Groundbreaking held for Valencia College West Campus Building 10 in Orlando
Project led by design-build team of SchenkelShultz Architecture and McCree General Contractors, both of Orlando.