The Gnome’s Hollow
When an aging tree on the property could no longer be saved, it was thoughtfully transformed rather than fully removed. Cut to an eight-foot height, the remaining trunk became the foundation for a small, elevated refuge—reimagined as a whimsical treehouse for the birds and squirrels that already inhabited the surrounding space.
Designed in dialogue with the home’s Gothic Revival architecture, the structure blends narrative and craft. A rounded hobbit-style door, painted to match the home’s front entry. Above it, a custom copper overhang echoes the detailing of the main house, reinforcing continuity between dwelling and habitat. It is framed by a Gothic stone arch, subtly tying the piece to its architectural context.
Playfulness guides the composition. Diamond-light windows tilt at unexpected angles, while a secondary entrance at the rear introduces asymmetry and surprise. The cedar shingle roof is layered and woven, creating texture and movement, and is crowned by a small gargoyle—both guardian and ornament.
Care was taken to preserve the natural overgrowth, allowing the structure to feel embedded rather than imposed. The result is a small-scale architectural intervention that transforms loss into imagination—part shelter, part storybook, and entirely at home within its environment.
Photo Gallery
