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
| Oct 5, 2011
GREENBUILD 2011: Solar PV canopy system expanded for architectural market
Turnkey systems create an aesthetic architectural power plant.
| Oct 5, 2011
GREENBUILD 2011: Brick offers growing options for sustainable building design
Brick exteriors, interiors and landscaping options can increase sustainability that also helps earn LEED certification.
| Oct 4, 2011
GREENBUILD 2011: Two new recycled glass products announced
The two collections offer both larger and smaller particulates.
| Oct 4, 2011
GREENBUILD 2011: Wall protection line now eligible to contribute to LEED Pilot Credit 43
The Cradle-to-Cradle Certified Wall Protection Line offers an additional option for customers to achieve LEED project certification.
| Sep 23, 2011
Okanagan College sets sights on Living Buildings Challenge
The Living Building Challenge requires projects to meet a stringent list of qualifications, including net-zero energy and water consumption, and address critical environmental, social and economic factors.
| Sep 19, 2011
Portland team hired as LEED and commissioning consultants for $5.5B downtown sustainable project in Qatar
The $5.5 billion sustainable downtown regeneration project underway by Msheireb Properties will transform a 76 acres site at the centre of Doha, Qatar’s capital city, recreating a way of living that is rooted in Qatari culture, attracting residents back to the city center and reversing the trend for decentralization.
| Sep 14, 2011
USGBC L.A. Chapter's Green Gala features Jason McLennan as keynote speaker
The Los Angeles Chapter of the nonprofit USGBC will launch its Sustainable Innovation Awards this year during the chapter's 7th Annual Green Gala on Thursday, November 3.
| Sep 12, 2011
PVs play new roles as a teaching tool
Solar installations are helping K-12 schools around the country save money and teach students the intricacies of renewable energy sources.
| Sep 12, 2011
Living Buildings: Are AEC Firms up to the Challenge?
Modular Architecture > You’ve done a LEED Gold or two, maybe even a LEED Platinum. But are you and your firm ready to take on the Living Building Challenge? Think twice before you say yes.
| Sep 12, 2011
Putting a stamp on USPS's first green roof
The Morgan Building roof totals 150,000-sf. In addition to a vegetated green roof, other roof areas were upgraded and included 55,000-sf of reflective concrete pavers and ballast, which were also placed over a Sarnafil waterproofing membrane, and 40,000-sf of EnergySmart Roof—a reflective, energy-efficient vinyl roofing system from Sika Sarnafil.
