London Festival of Architecture 2015: wrapped around a tree trunk in east London's Hoxton Square, this translucent pod provides temporary office space intended to encourage workers into the borough's parks (+ slideshow).
TREExOFFICE was created by London architecture studio Tate Harmer, in collaboration with architecture firm Gensler and artists Natalie Jeremijenko and Shuster + Moseley.
It is the first project completed under the Park Hack initiative, which was set up by the local council in collaboration with arts and environmental charities Arts Admin and Groundwork to prototype ways of enhancing public parks and spaces across the London Borough of Hackney.
The raised pavilion is anchored to the ground by stilts and encircles the trunk of a tree in Hoxton Square – one of 60,000 trees that populate the borough's parklands.
The structure is made from compressed paper and timber and is enclosed by rows of translucent plastic and polycarbonate slats that provide views into the surrounding greenery.
"Developing the Hoxton TREExOFFICE has been an amazing opportunity to create a new office concept, changing the way we work in the city," said Tate Harmer co-founder Rory Harmer.
"The design highlights the need to improve and utilise our urban green spaces in new and fun ways for everyone to enjoy."
The translucent pod is equipped with wooden workbenches, electricity and Wi-Fi. One of eight desk spaces can be booked by contacting the landlord – known as the tree – who is also the author of Twitter account @HOXTONxTREE.
Money raised from renting the space to businesses during the week will be pumped back into maintaining Hackney's parks. Community groups can book the pod free of charge for weekends.
"The innovative design of the TREExOFFICE will provide a space not only where people can work and meet, but also to interact with the natural environment," said health, social care and culture councillor Jonathan McShane, describing it as "a vastly different experience from working in a modern office".
The project was completed at the beginning of June to coincide with the London Festival of Architecture – a month-long series of installations, temporary exhibitions and events – and will be in situ until December. If the pilot is successful, the scheme will be rolled out to other sites in Hackney.
Photography is by Jack Hobhouse.
Project credits:
Architects: Tate Harmer, Gensler
Artists: Natalie Jeremijenko, Shuster + Moseley
Engineer: Price & Myers