Land+Living: To The Trees!

Architecture — September 26, 2005 Posted by Deborah

Contemporary reinterpretations of treehouses

Treehouses have grown-up and are winning awards for excellence in design and innovation. If the idea of treehouse as family dwelling conjures up images of the Swiss Family Robinson, then prepare yourself for the following reinterpretations.

In 2003 Lukasz Kos, a masters student at the University of Toronto's School of Architecture & Design, took honourable mention at the OAA awards for his Muskoka, ON. treehouse, an elegant slatted structure that scales the trees and lets light radiate down it's core.

More recently, Joel Sherman of jls Design produced his AIA award-winning Steel Tree House in Lake Tahoe, CA, a sprawling residence that is cleverly engineered to work with snow loads and sloping terrain. Then there is Marcio Kogan's BR House in Araras, RJ that was built up to the canopy, and allows trees to puncture through the roof at points creating a contemporary elevated living space.

Link: Lukasz Kos
Link: Marcio Kogan
Via: Nelson Kon fotografias
Link: jls Design
Via: Dexigner

It seems that idea is less about reducing the ecological footprint, and more about the treehouse as a relic of childhood that is virtually extinct in urban settings. By resurrecting them on a very grand scale in a more sylvan setting, these treehouses are the ultimate in treehouse design, and no doubt the owners are the most popular kids in the forest.

Marcio Kogan BR House

Joel Sherman Steel Tree House

14 comments

Comments (14)

iecreativeone@earthlink.net — October 24, 2005
Architectural building plans for Joel Sherman Tree House

Regarding the Joel Sherman Steel Tree House, I would like to know how I could get in contact with him, if he is employed, which employer may I contact, for this plan is exactly what I'm looking for. Sincerely, E. Ivak

Deborah Kenley — October 24, 2005
Contact information for Joel Sherman

Joel Sherman is Principal at jls Design. The following link will get you to the contact information you are looking for http://www.tahoearchitect.com/contact.html Good luck, and let us know if it works out.

Richard Boyd — November 14, 2005
Wonderful article

Thanks Deborah! We should all have one ;)

bas pijl — March 5, 2006
great

i am a student from the nederlands academie of architecture i want to know if you have more information bpijl@wanadoo thanks

Jon Traeger — September 28, 2006
Contractor/Past owner/Stal Tre Hus

Joel Sherman was a pleasure to work with. Creativity flew around the room when we met to go over ideas. Rocky and Clem Woods handled the strength and energy elements. The new owners have made my families dreams come true. Thanks to all, Jon

Greg — June 20, 2007
price

How much does a Tree-House like this one go for? its really amazing

Mariella morris — July 5, 2007
Great Design

How much does a house like this cost? Please email me at morris71@cox.net Thanks

kenynamicstone@cox.net — July 8, 2007
More information on these tree houses

What is the interior square footage? how many bedrooms and bathrooms. Could you show me an image of the interior layout. Thanks

guy garrett — August 18, 2007
fantastic house

I am also intereted n costs and more info

carrie — September 23, 2007
wolfenbergercarrie@yahoo.com

Can you please send me photos of interior and square footage, bedrooms , baths, kithchen Thanks, Carrie

Jon Jones — September 26, 2007
Beautiful

Amazing! So much though in ever detail, but it reminds me a lot of Falling Water

Mark Kiernan — July 30, 2008
Not my style

I would love an eco house, but something more of a classical design, why can't we have classical designs instead of modern ones, there are other markets too :(

Mark Furst — November 5, 2008
Treehouse?

IMHO, although this is an exceptionally beautiful building, a real tree house should be built involving the actual structure of a tree (or trees). Perhaps it and it's ilk, should be named "canopy houses".

bobby — February 10, 2009
wow cool

really amazing design;) wish all the house in the world like this;) Cheers B;)