BBC Take Away English (The trend

树屋曾是人们躲避危险的临时住所，但随着时代的进步，树屋的样式和用途也在不断改进和变革。从儿童玩耍的好去处，到现在，越来越多的成年人会选择在世界各地新奇、古怪、有大胆设计的树屋中住上几晚，重拾接近自然的体验。甚至还有些大型公司选择建造树屋办公楼给员工提供别样的思考和放松空间。本集Take Away English介绍目前流行的树屋建筑。

tree house
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article

The noble tree house – all natural materials, sturdy construction, aloof from the troubles of the world. In a more dangerous time in human history, their position above the ground would protect the dweller against environmental difficulties and possible predators. As modern construction has improved, these arboreal residences have become less of a practical dwelling and more of a children's novelty - a secret den erected in many a back garden. But now, these fun shelters are appealing to adults too and many are booking themselves in for a few nights among the treetops.

These tree house hotels can be found From Europe to Australia. Best of all, they come in a variety of interesting designs! From the traditional 'four walls and a roof' habitation, such as at TreeHouse Point, in Washington, North America, to the more artistic Nothofagus Hotel in Chilean Patagonia, whose twelve-sided walls make it look like a beehive. If that doesn't appeal, how about a tree pod?

The Free Spirit Spheres resort on Vancouver Island in Canada allows guests to stay in one of three yellow spheres, which are suspended from trees. The company was founded in 1998 by Tom Chudleigh, who hand built the pods from cedar wood and fibre glass, and then added fixtures and fittings. Not only are they as safe as houses, they're popular! Visitor numbers have probably doubled in the past five years, Mr Chudleigh tells the BBC.

Digs which are original seem to be a big draw. In Sweden, at the Treehotel, numbers have also risen. "In 2010, we had four rooms and around 1,500 guests a year. Today we have seven rooms and nearly 5,000 guests," Kent Lindvall explains. Mr Lindvall co-owns the Treehotel with his wife Britta Lindvall. Each of the domiciles there was designed by an architect, who was asked to make use of the light and surroundings. Their abodes include a mirrored cube, a bird's nest and a UFO.

And how about an office? Microsoft, hoping to give its employees thinking space, has commissioned a three-building structure from Pete Nelson, tree house book author and designer and builder of tree houses. "Studies show people can work better in nature. They are more productive," says Mr Nelson.

If you've no head for heights, then maybe a tree house getaway isn't going to be your home away from home. But the sense of adventure, the novelty of the setting and the opportunity to return to nature has given an increasing number of tree house-staying adults something to write home about.

vocabulary

sturdy 坚硬的
construction 构造
aloof from... 逃离...，远离....
dweller 城市、城镇居民
predator 食肉动物，猎食动物
arboreal 树木的，生活于树上的
residence 住宅
novelty 新奇，新鲜的事物
dwelling 住所，房屋
den 简易房
are appealing to sb. 吸引某人
a big draw 有巨大的吸引力
beehive 蜂箱
shelter 临时住所
habitation 住所
pod（通常为圆形的）简易小屋
are suspended from 从...上悬挂下来
fixture 固定装置
fitting 可拆除的装置（如炉灶或柜子）
as safe as houses 非常安全的
digs 借宿的地方
domicile 住宅
abode 住所
structure 大型建筑物
home away from home 家外之家，宾至如归的地方

make sentences

1. I love going to my cousins' house. I've been there so many times it's like my home away from home.

2. It looks like there's some rain coming. Let's hope we can find some shelter.

3. I need to buy new fittings for my kitchen. You know, washing machine, fridge, oven, etc.

4. Don't worry about falling. With those three safety-harness, you're as safe as houses.

5. Hello. My name is Constable Jones. Is this the Smith residence?

question

According to Pete Nelson, why is Microsoft building a tree house structure?

answer

Microsoft is building a tree house structure because ‘studies show people can work better in nature. They are more productive’.

@BBC Learning English