When you are building new construction or adding an addition, it is important to assess the trees on your lot and look for ways to incorporate the existing natural elements into an architectural design. Designing around and celebrating trees in architecture is something our architects value here at our Austin-based studio, a city where connections to nature are a top priority. We will be highlighting the benefits of keeping mature trees on your site, rules for designing around trees, and ways to incorporate trees into a well designed architectural plan.

Benefits of Keeping Mature Trees on Your Site

Environment

One of the biggest advantages of keeping mature trees on your lot is the environmental benefits. Trees are good for our planet and can help release oxygen, reduce ozone pollution, and even filter the soil from contaminants. Also, keeping mature trees on your lot can help reduce the risks of erosion and runoff. This could save money by allowing the trees to handle drainage as they were meant to, rather than having to invest in expensive retaining walls and additional construction to work against the landscape. Personally, our architects love that trees allow for animals to construct and design their own homes as well. It is pretty relaxing to watch birds and squirrels from your home office window - if we must say!

Mood

Homes with indoor-outdoor connections have also been shown to elevate moods and foster a higher quality of living. Views to outdoor scenery, like trees, can promote feelings of peace and tranquility. This feeling of connectivity simply creates a more beautiful and happier space to live in.

Shade

Trees also provide a great resource: shade. Having natural shade for your home will help keep it cooler and reduce the costs of utility bills. Sometimes, having a natural shade canopy can help reduce the need for other architectural costs, like shutters, overhangs, and solar shades that may be needed to protect a home with no shade. Plus, shady trees make for great outdoor gathering spaces.

Rules for Designing Around Trees

When it comes to designing around trees, every tree, site elevation, and city code will be different and require analysis by an architect, landscape architect, or arborist. However, there are a few simple rules to keep in mind.

Make sure you understand your city guidelines for cutting down and building around trees. In Austin, Texas, there are many tree integration policies in place which prohibit cutting down mature trees.
Account for not only the visible tree trunk and branches but also the root zone to plan for how close you can build. Typically, one should account for a 12-foot root radius, but some tree roots can reach as far as three times the height of the tree.

If you break city guidelines, you could be at risk for project delays and hefty fines. Building over and crushing critical tree roots could also slowly kill the tree over time, which could lead to a more expensive removal process down the road.

Ways to Highlight and Incorporate Trees into Architectural Designs

Creating Courtyards

A courtyard is a beautiful way to incorporate a mature tree that may be positioned in the middle of your build site. This is a unique approach to save a tree that may otherwise be cut down. Imagine creating a beautiful, private shaded gathering space that your bedrooms and living spaces could all open up to. This is the perfect way to add tranquil charm to a design.

Framing Views with Windows

When you are lucky enough to have a build site with stunning views and gorgeous scenery like trees, it is important to maximize the site orientation of your home to be well-positioned for views from the inside. Framing views with windows is like putting a living piece of artwork on the wall. Remember most of your time spent in the home will be in spaces like the living room and kitchen, so make sure to prioritize these for the best views.

Designing Tree Canopy Rooms

Tree canopy rooms are typically positioned on a higher level of the home and feature walls of glass panels that overlook tree canopies outside. These spaces have a treehouse feel and are very relaxing. When planning, it is important to position rooms like this close enough to create a stunning effect but allow for an appropriate distance from the tree branches and roots.

Decking Around Tree Trunks

Decking around tree trunks is a great way to maximize outdoor space and benefit from the natural shade offered by the trees. A deck is a good way to build around a tree because it is minimally invasive to the root system.

Adding Cutouts in Roofs

Adding cutouts and notches in roofs is another great way to design around a tree and make sure it is protected. A roof cutout can create a striking effect where it appears as though the tree is growing from inside the structure itself! Notches in roof overhangs can allow for substantial branches to remain on the tree, rather than being cut to make space.

Moving the Tree

Sometimes, the placement of a tree just doesn’t work with the overall design of the home. In this case, moving a mature tree is a great alternative to cutting it down. In some cases, it may be beneficial to consult an arborist to determine if the tree is a good candidate for being moved.

Reincorporating Cut Trees into Building Materials

When all else fails, sometimes a tree has to be cut down and removed to make way for something new. However, the tree’s life doesn’t have to stop there. Trees could be repurposed and reincorporated back into the design in the form of pillars or wood accents. How cool would it be to tell your friends that your home was built with actual trees from the site?

Do you need help incorporating mature trees on your site into a stunning home design?

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Designing Around and Celebrating Trees in Architecture