treetop walkway by glenn howells architects winds through westonbirt arboretum

由专筑网Yumi，韩平编译

Glenn Howells建筑事务所和工程师Buro Happold联合设计了这座英国最长的空中步道，空中步道位于韦斯顿伯特国家植物园并对公众开放。高架步道的起点和终点都在地面上，它顺应山谷地形，上升总高度达13米（43英尺）。蜿蜒的300米小路穿过植物园，为游客提供直接感受乡土树木的机会，并将历史悠久的自然风景尽收眼底。在游览路线的四个关键点，建筑师扩大了走道尺寸形成景观观赏平台，这样游客就可以更好地与自然环境交流。

Designed by Glenn Howells architects in collaboration with engineers Buro Happold, the longest treetop walkway in the UK has opened to the public in the national arboretum at Westonbirt. The elevated route starts and ends at ground level, rising to a total height of 13 meters (43 feet) as it follows the valley floor. The sinuous 300 meter pathway meanders through the arboretum, offering visitors the chance to directly experience the native trees, and observe sweeping views across the historic downs landscape. At four key points, the walkway increases in size to form points where guests can better engage with their natural surroundings.


步道上升到13米（43英尺）的总高度/The walkway rises to a total height of 13 meters (43 feet)

该项目是利用先进的计算参数化设计来开发的，其使用的材料也是为了补充周围的景观。每对支架的距离是一样的（10.5米），因此在视觉上是连续的。同时，地基也经过精心地定位，以避免影响现有的树木。轻型钢结构栏杆大大地减少结构所需的钢材量，又减少了对环境的影响。

The project has been developed through the use of advanced computational parametric principles, and uses materials that seek to complement the surrounding landscape. The distance between each pair of legs is the same (10.5 meters) – allowing for a continuous visual flow. Meanwhile, foundations have been carefully located to avoid impact on existing trees. The lightweight steel balustrade minimizes the amount of structure required, again reducing the impact on the environment.


蜿蜒的300米的步道穿过植物园/The sinuous 300 meter pathway meanders through the arboretum

“我们非常荣幸为历史悠久且国际知名的Westonbirt的植物园设计这座空中步道，”建筑师Glenn Howells说。“这个空中步道可让各个年龄、各种能力的游客第一次从空中感受整个公园。步道的设计注重游客的需求和其实用性，因此它设计成蜿蜒在树木以树冠之间的若隐若现的银色丝带的形式。其目的是通过这个新建筑大大地提升游客对植物园体验性，并有助于维持Westonbirt多年来的人气。”

‘We are very proud to have designed this unique treetop walkway for the historic and internationally renowned arboretum at Westonbirt,’says architect Glenn Howells. ‘The walkway allows all visitors, regardless of age or ability, to experience the site from the treetops for the first time. Focusing on visitor needs and materiality, the walkway is designed to disappear as a sinuous silver ribbon that meanders between trees and canopies. The aim is that this new feature will greatly enhance visitor experience and help to ensure Westonbirt’s popularity for many years to come.’


该方案提供给游客直接感受古老树木的机会/The scheme offers visitors the chance to directly experience the historic trees

Andrew Smith，植物园的领导补充说：“这一里程碑式的加建项目改变了游客游览体验，欣赏前所未有且美妙绝伦的风景。它还为游客感知世界上的各种树种提供了一个友好且有趣的方式！STIHL 林中漫道是Westonbirt的历史新篇章的开始，游客可以随着季节的变化去感受自然的变化。我们感到无比的骄傲，感谢所有为这个项目付出时间和金钱的信托、基金会、公司以及个人，谢谢你们让这个项目成为现实。”

Andrew Smith, arboretum director added: ‘this landmark addition transforms the visitor experience with incredible views, which have never been seen before. It also provides a family friendly and fun way for visitors to engage with the world of trees! The STIHL treetop walkway is the start of an exciting new chapter in Westonbirt’s history and can be enjoyed as the seasons change throughout the year. We’re incredibly proud of it and would like to thank all the trusts, foundations, companies and individual donors who have given their time and money to make this project a reality.’


2014年，Glenn Howells建筑事务所也完成了该基地的接待中心设计/In 2014, Glenn Howells architects also completed the site’s welcome center

Westonbirt植物园是从19世纪早期开始有Holford 家族的三代建造的，后来受英国遗产部门关注，注册为一级特殊历史名胜景观及园林。Westonbirt的朋友筹集了￡1.9万用于建造步道，因此可以给游客提供一个更好地欣赏植物园和山地景观以及感受蜿蜒的古树林和起伏山谷地貌的方式。2014年，Glenn Howells 建筑事务所也设计了一个弯曲的、木制的建筑，作为植物园游客的入口。

图片由rob parrish提供

The Westonbirt arboretum was laid out by three generations of the Holford family from the early 1800s, and has been recognized by english heritage as a grade I registered landscape and garden of special historic interest. The friends of Westonbirt raised ￡1.9m so that the walkway could provide visitors with a better understanding of the arboretum and its landscape, containing the ancient woodlands of silk wood and the downs. In 2014, Glenn Howells architects also completed a curved, timber-clad building that serves as an entrance to visitors of the arboretum.
all images by rob parrish


轻型钢栏杆最小化结构所需材料的数量/The lightweight steel balustrade minimizes the amount of structure required


每对支柱之间的距离是一样的——形成连续的视觉流线/The distance between each pair of legs is the same – allowing for a continuous visual flow


出处：本文译自www.designboom.com/，转载请注明出处。