'Giant Sequoia Skyscraper' Concept Proposes Building Inside the World's Largest Trees

Instead of using concrete and steel, a proposal in an architecture competition uses the world’s largest trees as the building’s facade. Built inside the trees hollow core, the structure would serve two purposes—prevent the dying tree from falling over and educating visitors to the natural wonder of the giant sequoia.

Architects designed a building concept inside a hollowed out Giant Sequois tree. Taller than 250 feet tall with a 100-foot width, the redwood is a perfect home for a skyscraper. (Ko Jinhyeuk, Cheong Changwon, Cho Kyuhyung, Choi Sunwoong)

A lattice-type framework inside the giant sequoia would serve as the support system against the tree’s thick bark, according to Dezeen. The skyscraper would be shaped as a spiral with each level serving as a space for classrooms, exhibits, and observation decks.

Giant sequoias are the largest standalone trees on Earth—growing as tall as 280 feet and as wide as 25 feet. The redwoods are native to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and some are thought to be older than 3,000 years old—among the oldest living organisms on the planet.

The proposal, called “Tribute: The Monument of Giant,” was submitted designers Ko Jinhyeuk, Cheong Changwon, Cho Kyuhung and Choi Sunwoong. The entry earned an honorable mention in the 2017 eVolvo skyscraper competition.

Sequoia National Park in California (Ingram Publishing/Getty Images)

Getty Images/Ingram Publishing

The concept would prevent the tree from falling over while providing space for research and education. (Ko Jinhyeuk, Cheong Changwon, Cho Kyuhyung, Choi Sunwoong)