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Portfolio
Trees in
Architecture &
Construction
Tree projects of note
in architecture &
innovations in construction.
Munday Library at St. Ed's University
Giant oaks are mirrored in the library's towering glass wall as two, cooperative systems -- this is biophilic design on a grand scale.
This project called for research into the architectural history of the library, renovated by Sasaki group to include the oaks in systems temperature and light. The oaks visually draw readers and writers into the library, with steel columns blending into trunks to emulate a cathedral.
To see more of our work and research on this 'biophilic biblioteca,' click the video link below.
This project called for research into the architectural history of the library, renovated by Sasaki group to include the oaks in systems temperature and light. The oaks visually draw readers and writers into the library, with steel columns blending into trunks to emulate a cathedral.
To see more of our work and research on this 'biophilic biblioteca,' click the video link below.
Dynamic Tree Support - The Tree Saddle
A 'biodynamic' tree support that grows with the tree -- a Skyline original design.
Liberty Park - All systems green, condos to flood control
At Liberty Park, trees are infused with architecture at all levels. Glass-walled condos peer into the forest canopy. The limestone labyrinth in the forest is really a flood-control system designed to work with the forest.
This project shows Skyline's depth -- an arborist's work requires both laptops and chainsaws.
Work on these highly regulated trees & flood systems required extensive permitting and written arborist reports.
Backing our approach with written research, our scope of work included:
-restore the pond's stonework and drains;
-nativize the forest and manage deadwood within the pond system;
-performe delicate corrective-structure pruning in the oaks upper canopy, in response to past topping wounds.
Arborists integrate the forest into the blueprint with an applied-science approach to trees and engineered systems, and an eye for aesthetics.
Liberty Park is a landmark example of the value that trees -- and arborists-- add to a property.
This project shows Skyline's depth -- an arborist's work requires both laptops and chainsaws.
Work on these highly regulated trees & flood systems required extensive permitting and written arborist reports.
Backing our approach with written research, our scope of work included:
-restore the pond's stonework and drains;
-nativize the forest and manage deadwood within the pond system;
-performe delicate corrective-structure pruning in the oaks upper canopy, in response to past topping wounds.
Arborists integrate the forest into the blueprint with an applied-science approach to trees and engineered systems, and an eye for aesthetics.
Liberty Park is a landmark example of the value that trees -- and arborists-- add to a property.
Aesthetic Infrastructure: urban stormwater ponds in the forest
Link to our documentary below.
Restoring flood-control ponds built to work within the forest.
Most ponds are bare of trees, but researching architect Larry Peel's original design guided our tree work, and led to a collaboration with the original engineer.
Restoring flood-control ponds built to work within the forest.
Most ponds are bare of trees, but researching architect Larry Peel's original design guided our tree work, and led to a collaboration with the original engineer.
Tree-Well Bridge at Delta 2.0
Trees grow slowly, so an arborist creates the most value before construction breaks ground, in the design phase.
We were honored when this expert design team accepted our arborist report, and our recommendation to install 'draining tree wells' near the new buildings and roadways.
We provided specs for the trees within the wells. Then, the team of architects & engineers connected to form a continuous bridge.
This collaboration of arborists, builders, engineers & architects yielded a bridge built to preserve the root-zones of these live oaks. Skyline protected and treated the trees during the build process, and the result is a bridge built for the trees, an original design.
We were honored when this expert design team accepted our arborist report, and our recommendation to install 'draining tree wells' near the new buildings and roadways.
We provided specs for the trees within the wells. Then, the team of architects & engineers connected to form a continuous bridge.
This collaboration of arborists, builders, engineers & architects yielded a bridge built to preserve the root-zones of these live oaks. Skyline protected and treated the trees during the build process, and the result is a bridge built for the trees, an original design.
Bio-Dynamic Construction Fencing
We developed tree-protection fences that imitate live oak's natural, shady understory.
Skyline arborists put trees in the blueprint, integrating natural systems into design & construction methods.
Our biodynamic approach to building shows the economic and aesthetic potential of trees in growing cities.
Skyline arborists put trees in the blueprint, integrating natural systems into design & construction methods.
Our biodynamic approach to building shows the economic and aesthetic potential of trees in growing cities.
Arborist Report at Delta 2.0
After a deep review of site plans and acres of trees, our recommendations were implemented by the tree-savvy designers and builders who created Delta Millworks new headquarters.
Innovative tree-protection for the tree-well bridge
Native Rock-Terrace Garden - Landscapes built by Skyline
This drought-tolerant garden used native desert and prarie species to transform bare limestone into a lush oasis on a steppe. A collab with New Leaf Design.
Japanese Maple Boutique
Japanese maple are fascinating, gentle plants with no invasive potential, but they require special soil and care. Skyline creates custom arrangements for these 'natural bonsai,' establishing them alongside native plants in a suitable mini-biome. Each maple cultivated by Skyline is a meditation on the blend of art & science within arboriculture, a 'practical science' that adapts natural & built systems to modern life, building the cities and landscapes of the future.
Biodynamic Tree Wells: innovations in tree-friendly demolition
The demolition phase removed three feet of soil around these oaks, destablizing the root zone.
Over a three-year construction project, our retention-wall tree-wells stabilized the tree while gradually lowering the soil and root-zone back to the natural 'grade' or soil level.
After Skyline carefully demolished the stonework around the tree, we recreated the soil underneath. With continuous monitoring, soil & root treatments, and careful root pruning, we re-established the root plate deep in the natural soil.
The end result was a newly remodeled home with mature trees, rather than new transplants. As a tree grows into maturity, the value it adds to a property grows exponentially.
So, smart designers & builders invest in designing around the trees with an arborist, rather than starting with a razed site.
Over a three-year construction project, our retention-wall tree-wells stabilized the tree while gradually lowering the soil and root-zone back to the natural 'grade' or soil level.
After Skyline carefully demolished the stonework around the tree, we recreated the soil underneath. With continuous monitoring, soil & root treatments, and careful root pruning, we re-established the root plate deep in the natural soil.
The end result was a newly remodeled home with mature trees, rather than new transplants. As a tree grows into maturity, the value it adds to a property grows exponentially.
So, smart designers & builders invest in designing around the trees with an arborist, rather than starting with a razed site.
This Tree is Not a Pipe - Where the building meets the tree
Can you see the pipe?
The City & The Urban Forest are close neighbors, so building in the city means designing around -- and with -- the trees.
Open Envelope Studios designed a courtyard with native plants and natural forms, and Skyline consulted on the necessary drainage near this large tree. Our collaboration of architects & arborists arborists yielded a drainage pipe that folds into the branches and vertical lines of the tree, blending with the columns of the new structure.
Trees are a bridge between a building's form and its function, because trees add not just beauty, but also shade, sunlight regulation, erosion control, and privacy -- trees are practical design elements that increase the liveable space within a building and its landscape.
This project shows how arborists find solutions where aesthetic and practical concerns meet, in the city’s cramped forest – like the courtyard that this pecan shades, and the utility lines behind it.
The City & The Urban Forest are close neighbors, so building in the city means designing around -- and with -- the trees.
Open Envelope Studios designed a courtyard with native plants and natural forms, and Skyline consulted on the necessary drainage near this large tree. Our collaboration of architects & arborists arborists yielded a drainage pipe that folds into the branches and vertical lines of the tree, blending with the columns of the new structure.
Trees are a bridge between a building's form and its function, because trees add not just beauty, but also shade, sunlight regulation, erosion control, and privacy -- trees are practical design elements that increase the liveable space within a building and its landscape.
This project shows how arborists find solutions where aesthetic and practical concerns meet, in the city’s cramped forest – like the courtyard that this pecan shades, and the utility lines behind it.
International Trees: Ki Bathala Gardens
Ki Bathala Gardens is one of the most bio-diverse places in Mindanao, after a reforestation period of only 30 years. Each building on the property is woven into the forest, into the cycles of rain and work, a monument of modern Philippine architecture.
Our work on the trees and structures at Ki Bathala helped to restore the native rainforest of Mindanao. Our close ties to local climbers, farmers and businesses blends local tree science and building practices with urban tree-care (arboriculture).
We also built bamboo and stone structures that called upon local practices -- included hand-carved nails and trail-cutting -- and the new eco-tourism complex is simply breathtaking.
Trees are deeply linked to urban development, and cities like Cagayan De Oro in Mindanao, Philippnes -- the home of Ki Bathala -- are examples of how the value of tree work is embedded in a property.
To see our work, visit Ki Bathala on facebook, or simply book a trip.
Our work on the trees and structures at Ki Bathala helped to restore the native rainforest of Mindanao. Our close ties to local climbers, farmers and businesses blends local tree science and building practices with urban tree-care (arboriculture).
We also built bamboo and stone structures that called upon local practices -- included hand-carved nails and trail-cutting -- and the new eco-tourism complex is simply breathtaking.
Trees are deeply linked to urban development, and cities like Cagayan De Oro in Mindanao, Philippnes -- the home of Ki Bathala -- are examples of how the value of tree work is embedded in a property.
To see our work, visit Ki Bathala on facebook, or simply book a trip.
Asia-Pacific Tree-Climbing Championship 2024
Skyline was honored to be invited to serve as a judge at the APTCC. This event cemented our relationships with arborists not only in Thailand, but throughout the region.
Structure Pruning at Liberty Park
These oak are carefully tended to retain their structure and graceful arc over the pool.
A Library in the Trees; A Skyline in the Forest
The view while caring for trees at Munday Library, a library designed as a 'forest cathedral,' with true "Skyline Trees" in the backdrop.
The View from Munday Library
Skyline Trees
Link with us online for more tree projects from around the world.
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