Tubular Glass House

Tubular glass house | Photo © A. Masow Architects

Why build a classical tree house if you can build a gorgeous glass house that wraps around an entire tree? Architect Aibek Almassov under the auspices of A. Masow Architects, plans to realize this idea in the woods of Almaty, Kazakhstan. He takes the concept of the tree house to the extreme by fully enveloping a living tree.

The home’s circular glass façade will envelope the entire trunk along with the branches, reinventing the concept of the tree house. “We wanted to combine the capabilities of modern industrial design and the natural wealth and beauty,” said the architect.

A gigantic tree lives inside this gorgeous glass house in the mountains of Kazakhstan

It was commissioned by a 38-year-old businessman who wanted a home for two people and a place that would allow for his spiritual and creative development. Most of all, the house is designed to provide a space where one can escape the stressful everyday life in the city. The real problem was to find an investor. They currently have two investors and one of them owns a glass and solar panel factory, so he was of course interested in this project.

The house will be built using metal columns, plasterboard panels, concrete and wooden flooring, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The home’s staircases will wind around the tree as it were the central pillar of a tower. It will feature a completely glazed and cylindrical structure to give 360-degree-views of the forest setting. Climbing the stairs in this unusual house could be compared with the stages of spiritual purification, enlightenment and harmonizing with the environment.

Most importantly, Tubular glass house won’t be harmful for the environment and as Almassov explains: “This is an opportunity to escape from the sweltering concrete boxes and feel the present unity with nature.”