The Formist Treehouse

In the rapidly evolving peri urban landscape of Bengaluru, housing developments often struggle to create a genuine sense of neighbourhood. This compact residential project reimagines how community life can flourish within a small-scale apartment building of just 56 homes. By interpreting the idea of the urban street in a vertical format, the design introduces a new typology that blends community, ecology, and everyday living. Set on a 2,500 sqm. site, the building accommodates seven units per floor across eight levels. Despite its modest footprint, the design moves beyond the rigid conventions of typical residential developments. Instead of isolating shared amenities, it integrates them into the spatial framework of the building, transforming everyday circulation into opportunities for social interaction. At the heart of the concept is the reimagined Club, conceived as a vertical “Treehouse” that forms the social spine of the building. Rather than being confined to a basement or terrace, the Club unfolds through a sequence of layered spaces rising through the structure. Open, semi open, and enclosed zones house diverse activities ranging from yoga terraces and billiards rooms to gyms, libraries, and breakout decks. Circulation corridors double as informal lounges, encouraging spontaneous encounters and neighbourly interaction. Culminating in an infinity pool at the terrace level, the Treehouse becomes a collective destination for residents. The arrangement transforms the building’s vertical core into a vibrant network of social spaces that extend daily life beyond individual apartments. Equally significant is the project’s integration of edible landscapes. Balconies incorporate vertical planting screens designed for herbs, climbers, and vegetable planters, transforming private thresholds into productive green edges. These living façades filter sunlight, improve ventilation, and introduce biodiversity into the built environment. Along the periphery, tropical fruit trees form a lush buffer, while the terrace garden hosts varieties such as lemon, pomegranate, and Thai mango. Together, these landscapes blur the boundary between architecture and nature, cultivating a resilient residential environment where community life and ecological awareness grow side by side.