a hut of spruce bark by ulf mejergren grows around a living tree in sweden

"The bark beetle weakens the tree and separates its outer layer from the trunk, producing an excess of material. Ants suggest a method, using the tree as a structural core and gradually constructing a body around it through accumulation."

"Built around a living spruce, the structure uses the trunk as a central pillar. A lightweight frame of timber studs clad with masonite boards forms a secondary skeleton, allowing the bark to be layered and attached using a staple gun and a screwdriver."

"Due to its thin, almost paper-like quality, spruce bark behaves more like a skin than a rigid surface, folding, overlapping, and adapting to the form. The hut takes on a tent-like form, enclosing a small interior space that can be entered through a narrow opening."

Spruce Bark Hut, designed by Ulf Mejergren Architects, is constructed from layers of bark harvested from spruce trees affected by the spruce bark beetle. The project creatively utilizes the damage caused by the beetle, which loosens the bark, allowing for construction. The hut features a living spruce trunk as a central pillar, surrounded by a lightweight timber frame. The bark, resembling skin, creates a soft, permeable envelope, resulting in a tent-like structure that serves as a simple shelter, blending into the forest environment while maintaining a distinct presence.

Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine