Collection by Jacqueline Leahy

Modern Homes Built Around Trees

Wishing to preserve existing sites and the natural beauty of original trees, these seven homes use nature as their centerpiece.

The 300-year-old beech tree supplies shade, movement, sound, and color to the site, and provides a towering natural counterpoint to the renovated home's long, low expanses of glass.
The 300-year-old beech tree supplies shade, movement, sound, and color to the site, and provides a towering natural counterpoint to the renovated home's long, low expanses of glass.
Finally, the stone pine tree reveals itself from the backyard looking over the Venice neighborhood. Its canopy stretches over the first floor of the home and can be glimpsed by the skylights placed strategically above the living area.
Finally, the stone pine tree reveals itself from the backyard looking over the Venice neighborhood. Its canopy stretches over the first floor of the home and can be glimpsed by the skylights placed strategically above the living area.
For this San Diego family, the phrase "putting down roots" has taken on a whole new meaning.
For this San Diego family, the phrase "putting down roots" has taken on a whole new meaning.
This open-ended box, lined in mirrored glass, performs like a kaleidoscope, amplifying the mature Melia tree’s presence within the dining room.
This open-ended box, lined in mirrored glass, performs like a kaleidoscope, amplifying the mature Melia tree’s presence within the dining room.
A wider view of the bridge that "will strengthen the floating concept of this house," according to Wibowo.
A wider view of the bridge that "will strengthen the floating concept of this house," according to Wibowo.
To reconnect back to the fallen tree, the architects carved a portal in the walnut floor, affording a view of the inspiration for the house itself.
To reconnect back to the fallen tree, the architects carved a portal in the walnut floor, affording a view of the inspiration for the house itself.