A fascinating exploration of how trees have informed and inspired modern architecture.

Wood is a fundamental material in many buildings, but its natural source—trees—is often overlooked. In this new and captivating book, discover how architects have looked to trees to inspire some of the most innovative and exciting structures across the globe.

Illustrated with eighty stunning photographs, Architecture and Trees showcases fifty of the most amazing buildings which use trees as a central part of their structure or design. Examples include the Fuji Kindergarten which is constructed around a tree in Tokyo, Lina Bo Bardi’s Casa de Vidro in Brazil, the striking 1000 Trees development in Shanghai, China and Ha Long Villa in Vietnam, where trees grow out of the building from a series of angular balconies.

The book also features Q&As with leading architects who use trees as a key source of inspiration as well as essays on sustainability, the relationship between trees and brutalism, and the history of the treehouse.

Whether you’re an architecture fan or are simply intrigued by imaginative, eco-conscious design, this book is a stunning visual escape that takes an inspiring look at how nature continues to shape our built world.

About The Author

Jon Astbury is a writer, lecturer, and curator. He is assistant curator in architecture and design at the Barbican and has previously held editorial positions at The Architects’ Journal and The Architectural Review. Jon continues to write freelance and is regularly featured in a number of architectural publications, including Dezeen.