Kyson's 'Nomadic Treehouse'

The Nomadic Treehouse, by CIAT-registered practice Studio Kyson, is on display at Battersea Power Station (Circus West Village), 1 – 30 June, as part of the London Festival of Architecture 2018. 

The striking geometric pavilion of smoked mirror and charred timber is a space to walk in, around, or to simply observe. It will provide festival visitors a place to decompress or re-calibrate at this busy new London destination.  

​Designed as a free-standing structure, the Treehouse explores the principles of form, light and texture.  It expresses these with a series of contrasts; solid and void, dark and light, rough and smooth. The compelling reflective surface means that the Treehouse takes on some of the identity of its site, while offering passers-by a new perspective. On entering, visitor finds a darkened, textured space that invites contrasting introspection.  

Scott Kyson says, 'The Treehouse is designed to be a pavilion of pure pleasure, a space to explore, relax, or to simply take a moment to ponder contrasts: solid and void, dark and light, rough and smooth; man-made and natural. It’s a one-off not-for-profit – a not-for-anything, a testament to collaboration, a serious folly, and a study-in-process.'

Honor Fishburn, Senior Placemaking Manager at Battersea Power Station Development Company, said: 'We are delighted to host Kyson’s Treehouse here at Circus West Village as we celebrate London Festival of Architecture. We have a long-term ambition to make Battersea a new cultural district for London so it’s great to be able to support initiatives like this that enliven the built environment. With over ten restaurants, cafes and bars now open and a selection of events and activities taking place throughout LFA, there is plenty for people to explore here at Battersea Power Station.'

The London Festival of Architecture celebrates London as a global hub of architectural experimentation, practice and debate. The festival, soon to end on 30 June, has held a lively and diverse programme of public events across London exploring the theme ‘identity’.  

Image credit: Ed Reeve.