DesignPokagon Sun & Moon Pavilion One great feature of building with trees is nature has already made some incredible designs for us to use. To get the right structural curved members for this pavilion, we used our laser scanner to create 3D models of naturally bent trees.  Seven Generations A+E architects have now placed our 3D models of the actual …

DesignAt WholeTrees, we innovate and we iterate. We develop new ways to do the unique work that we love doing and then we revisit, revise, and refine our designs. Columbus Zoo: We recently updated our elephant shade design – both its aesthetic and structure. The first version, which you can find installed at Maryland Zoo, features a round timber roof …

Health, Wellness and Trees in Interior DesignFor thousands of years, humans evolved to live and work outdoors. Our hunter-gatherer instincts evolved to function within the natural environment, but the demands of contemporary life have now brought most activities indoors. Economic constraints and the desire for environmental control have led to a tendency towards spartan uniformity in most building designs, with …

My grandmother, Ricky Trowbridge, was a housewife, a mother of four Baby Boomers and an artist. She designed the layout of her Georgian Revival home on the Chesapeake Bay and collaborated with the builder to see her vision realized. I played and came of age in those corridors with the Bay views and the play of light she foresaw in her designs.Yet …

Where Trees Meet SunThe trends of sustainability in our built environment are ever-increasing. Innovations and technological development are allowing us to achieve a more restorative infrastructure than ever before. As these pioneering technologies continue to enter the mainstream markets it seems inevitable that we begin to work together. Building professionals are creating better facilities through the holistic approach inherent in …

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an innovative tool that streamlines the process of enhancing our built environment. BIM improves productivity, limits the need for redesign through integrated models among parties, improves coordination, provides necessary documents and material information, and allows for visualization to ensure client satisfaction.Product manufacturers are responsible for providing the early-entry tools needed for the construction industry to …

A Century of National Park Buildings”Perhaps for the first time in the history of American architecture, a building became an accessory to nature… it was thought that a structure employing native materials blended best with the environment.” – Merrill Ann Wilson, “Rustic Architecture: The National Park Style,” Trends (July-Sept 1976)Yellowstone. Glacier. The Grand Tetons. Upon hearing these names, the mind’s …

Leadership in Sustainable ConstructionLast month, WholeTrees paid a visit to Seattle, Washington. Alongside attractions such as Pike Place Market and the Space Needle, the Emerald City is also known for its leadership in sustainable construction and for housing the International Living Future Institute, which runs the world’s most ambitious green building standard. In addition to attending the 2017 Living Future …

11th Annual R+D AwardsIn its 10th year of operation, WholeTrees is happy to share that we have received our B Corp Certification. We often discuss our commitment to preserving forests and the ecological world, but our force for good extends much further than the woods. William McDonough, of the cradle-to-cradle movement, explains to truly make an impact with holistic design …

Building Natural EnvironmentsWe often think of childhood as the golden age of freedom and exploration. Both free play and structured learning are integral to motor and cognitive development in the early years, as well as enriching the imagination and sense of wonder at a young age. Nothing is more awe-inspiring to a developing mind than the majesty of nature and …