This article describes the design and construction of this award winning structure. Roger, as well as designing the tower did much of the physical work in its construction.

“The requirements are to provide an observation tower to view the forest canopy at varying levels for educational purposes and also as a tourist attraction.

“Working on site really makes you appreciate the forest environment and why it is so important to save it. You see new things everyday you are there. The tower is located near some very fine 40 metre high Rata trees. The tower has been designed so that the pole frame structure is inconspicuous in the forest and the stairs, which cantilever outside the structure, wind up the canopy and appear to float in the forest canopy. The design just fell into place as soon as I saw the site and I could immediately visualize the tower and the stairs mimicking the Rata trees themselves.

TDJ 14-4