The Hooch

The Hooch (a kit made by Island Ambiance) exemplifies the principles of biophilia, biomimicry, environmental stewardship, and sustainable design.

Admittedly a radical departure from architectural conventions, the Hooch stands as a counterpoint, and indeed stands architectural conventions on its head. (the pointy part is on the bottom).

The Hooch holds the world record for the smallest foundation of earth based dwellings. Its small footprint requires very little disturbance of the environment, with the concomitant maintenance of the natural integrity and ambiance of the natural place.

The Hooch is not a castle, separate from its surroundings, but is intertwined with its surroundings, literally. To keep this structure from falling down, cables radiate in a failsafe array to the surrounding trees, making the trees and their roots an integral part of the structural integrity of the Hooch. It is, in essence, a tower that uses technology and system strategy more than 100 years old.

Biophilia is quenched, and biomimicry, a design not unlike the strategy of a single bamboo culm in a dense grove of culms, is the model. Though having minimal, shallow fibrous root system, the bamboo culm towers high, high enough to be toppled by wind. The support of surrounding culms keep it erect.

The hooch, a place above it all.