The ten modular structures that function both as trees and houses, were the brainchild of acclaimed New Zealand artist, Julia Morison. The relocatable sculptures include elements of native plant, timber and light, and are grouped to allow visitors to walk through and explore.
The Tree Houses were constructed by installing three metre tall hexagonal timber frames each on top of a precast concrete base. Above the timber frame, a steel planter holds live muehlenbeckia complexa plants and supports illuminated fibreglass rods which reach another three metres above the planter frame. The combined ten ‘tree houses’ span nearly 20 square metres of area and each unit weighs 4.5 tonne.
This was a very different project for Hawkins as a commercial builder, and it required our team to draw on their full range of skills, knowledge and expertise to help bring the project to life.
This is a tangible example of Hawkins building communities from the ground up and we are proud of the contribution we have made to the city. This community project represents a major investment in the culture of the city we are helping to rebuild.
Hawkins ongoing commitment to the project included the relocation of the sculpture three times over a five year period to key sites as Christchurch’s redevelopment plans progressed.