Rethinking Parks: Tree Office
Work in a London tree. Desks, power and Wi-Fi included. Yes, you heard me right. The Tree Office (or TREExOFFICE as it is officially known) in Hoxton Square, Hackney is just one of the more unique projects being tested by the London Borough of Hackney, Arts Admin and Groundwork through Park Hack as part of Nesta’s Rethinking Parks programme. Outlined in a previous blog post, the initiative seeks to test innovative business models within parks. TREExOFFICE represents a quirky means of prompting digital workers into one of Hackney’s parks, whilst generating much-needed park revenue in the process. When I first heard about the idea, I was really intrigued and couldn’t wait to see it come to life. This month, I had the chance to have a close look…
Outside TREExOFFICE
TREExOFFICE is a translucent pod built onto a pavilion that is accessible via a short flight of steps. The pavilion is raised on stilts allowing views across the park, though at an accommodating, safe height for those faint of heart. The structure wraps itself around the trunk of a mature London plane tree.
The tree imparts a sense of seclusion to the immediate area, despite being located in a busy London square. While TREExOFFICE is impossible to miss, the translucency of the structure ensures that it does not overly detract from the natural feel of the space. The framework is elegant and simple, made from compressed paper and timber. Up close, the translucent ‘skin’ is revealed to be comprised of polycarbonate slats. The lightweight materials help enhance the sense that it is the tree rather than the structure that dominates.
The steps lead to a spacious viewing platform and a door secured by a lock code mechanism. The access code is provided following a simple, online booking process where availability is listed in half day slots. Community groups can book the space for free during weekends. Even without a code, visitors are free to view the park from the raised pavilion, something that could be encouraged further in the future by providing some seating space. There is provision to add an access ramp to enable disabled access.
Inside TREExOFFICE
Inside, there are wooden outward facing workbenches that afford commanding views of Hoxton Park. 8 people can work in this light and airy space at a time, with access to power conveniently located beneath each workspace. If you want to feel connected to the natural environs of the park, it is possible to open up the polycarbonate slats to allow a clear view.
If you look up, a plastic sheet is all that separates you and your laptop from the tree canopy! This could look really special in Autumn when the leaves fall…
TREExOFFICE will be available until December 2015, though depending on take up this could be extended beyond this date. In its first month, the space has proven popular as an alternative meeting venue which certainly bodes well for its future. I do wonder how TREExOFFICE will fare as an office space in the winter months, however have been told that the polycarbonate skin can be replaced with a more robust winter equivalent and that fundraising options through business sponsorship are being explored. I can imagine TREExOFFICE becoming a wonderful TREExGROTTO in the lead up to Christmas!
