Overview
German architecture studio Opposite Office developed a one-square-metre treehouse, designated as the Baumhaus Office. This compact structure is affixed to a tree situated on the Bauhaus University campus in Weimar. The design and creation of the Baumhaus Office served as a direct and "exaggerated response" to the elevated office rental prices prevalent in Munich, Germany, a city where Opposite Office was previously located.
Research Context
The development of the Baumhaus Office by Opposite Office is framed explicitly as a reaction to economic conditions impacting architectural practices. Specifically, the high cost of office rental spaces in Munich, Germany, prompted the studio to conceptualize and construct an alternative workspace solution. This initiative emerged from the studio's prior base in Munich.
Approach
Opposite Office designed and created the Baumhaus Office. The structure measures one square metre. It is a treehouse design, described as a "compact tree-bound structure." Its physical installation involved fixing it to a tree located on the Bauhaus University campus in Weimar.
Findings
The key outcome is the physical manifestation of the Baumhaus Office itself. This structure represents a functional workspace contained within a one-square-metre footprint. It is specifically integrated with a tree on the Bauhaus University campus. The project is characterized by Opposite Office as an "exaggerated response" to the issue of high office rental prices.
Why This Matters
The creation of the Baumhaus Office by Opposite Office indicates a tangible, albeit exaggerated, architectural response to significant urban economic pressures, specifically high commercial rental costs. It provides a physical example of how design studios might react to such challenges, potentially offering a commentary on workspace accessibility and cost in urban environments.