Kara Woods Residence

Taking a break from the enormous, spectacular, and high-tech architecture of the last week or so, the Kara Woods Residence is small, unassuming, and snuggles cozily into its natural surroundings.

The design is by the unique firm Whole Trees Architecture and Construction, which also fabricates whole tree round timber elements by peeling branches, making connections, and storing the completed pieces.

Completed in the fall of last year, the Kara Woods Residence was built for two Franciscan Sisters in the Christine Center community in Wisconsin.  Their desire for a space that encouraged their artistic, intellectual, and spiritual pursuits resulted in a low sod-roofed Whole Tree structure.  An encompassing living area with a round workshop space extends eastward into the more private areas of the home.