Architects go out on a limb to create the world's most amazing luxury treehouses
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By Helen Collis
PUBLISHED: 07:06 EST, 9 August 2013 | UPDATED: 08:46 EST, 9 August 2013
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The idea of building a unique home in the country may sound appealing to some, were it not for the sheer enormity of the project.
Add in the fact that the plot sits high up in the trees and among odd-shaped trunks and branches, and the scale of the challenge now seems almost unfathomable.
But undeterred, and perhaps even spurred on, by this scenario, architects around the world have been beavering away to create some of the most awe-inspiring and eye-opening canopy creations.
For some architects, there is never a challenge too great. This magnificent wooden dwelling, built on giant stilts placing it in the shelter of the oak tree's canopy, has views of Italy far and wide
The spectacular treehouse is in fact a 'suite' at La Piantata Bed & Breakfast in Italy's northern Lazio region, sitting amid a centuries-old majestic oak, surrounded by a field of stunning lavender
The 'Suite Bleue' is one of two treehouses at La Piantata B&B. It is constructed from red-cedar and was originally built in France before being transported into its current position
And the range of styles is fantastically creative. Many are built entirely from wood, sympathising with their surroundings. Lengthy spiral staircases lead up to front doors, wooden struts and stilts support living rooms and kitchens, slatted wooden walls allow light to pass through, and large branches are used to divide rooms and as support.
The structures have been built amid single magnificent trees standing alone in fields, spanning several trees in the middle of a forest, stilted on sandy beaches among a cluster of trees and even enveloping entire trees without touching a single branch.
Virtually invisible from some angles, one of the most striking for its contemporary design is a mirrored cube, built around a single pine tree. Unobservant walkers might even miss this remarkable structure which mimics its surroundings through reflection.
To prevent birds from flying into the mirrored walls, they have been clad with infrared film. The colour is invisible to humans, but visible to the birds.
Mirrorcube is one of a number of treehouse suites available with Tree Hotels, on the coast in northern Sweden. It includes a double bed, bathroom, lounge, and rooftop terrace and is accessed via a 12-metre long bridge.
Hidden gem: This immaculately finished structure was built in secret in 2008 by Joel Allen, a former software engineer, and was only recently unveiled. They egg-shaped tree-pod now faces possible destruction over failure to get proper planning permission
Under threat: Perched in the woods of Whistler, Canada, the sympathetically designed structure went undetected for several years
Optical illusion: It takes a little adjustment of the eyes to be able to see this awe-inspiring design. While it is one of the few treehouses in the collection not to be built mostly from wood, it's arguably the most well-blended into its surroundings, reflecting the pine forest around it
Floating: The remarkable mirrored treehouse, which sits half way up a pine tree in Sweden, is a hotel suite with incredible views. To prevent birds from flying into the mirrored walls, they have been clad with infrared film. The colour is invisible to humans, but visible to the birds
Mirrorcube is one of a number of treehouse suites available with Tree Hotels, on the coast in northern Sweden. It includes a double bed, bathroom, lounge, and rooftop terrace and is accessed via a 12-metre long bridge
In Italy, the 'Suite Bleue, La Piantata', in Arlena di Castro, is built around a centuries-old majestic oak.
Remarkably, it is one of two tree houses at La Piantata Bed & Breakfast in Italy’s northern Lazio region.
The red-cedar structure was designed and built in France by the Provence-based specialty firm La Cabane Perchée. It now crowns a sprawling field of lavender on the resort’s estate.
An incredible spherical structure, resembling some kind of honeycomb, was installed at the Beverly Hills, California, home of the Doors guitarist Robby Krieger, who uses the space to relax and write music.
Another room at Sweden's Treehotel is this vivid structure designed by Stockholm-based firm SandellSandberg. Beneath the shingled scarlet façade is a chic, contemporary Swedish interior with whitewashed walls
Quite the opposite from its Mirrorcube neighbour, the red suite makes no qualms about boldly standing out in the forest of pine trees
Designed by Stockholm-based firm Sandell Sandberg, this scarlet suite backs the edge of a pine forest and looks out upon a dramatic and far-reaching view
It had previously been exhibited at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and is made from redwood and steel.
Crafted by O2 Treehouse, the structure is suspended by steel cables attached to the tree’s upper branches, while a portion rests on the ground to alleviate some of the stress on the live oak.
Mandala-printed pine flooring has been supplemented with leftover cuts from the tree house’s construction.
Overlooking Ontario’s beautiful Lake Muskoka, a fabulous summer retreat has been crafted above a deer reserve.
Lukasz Kos of the Toronto firm Four O Nine designed the contemporary triplex, which uses steel airline cables and a cedar-framed structure. When lit from within, the lantern-like house illuminates the surrounding forest.
Among the elements: This beachside treehouse, on Anna Mari Island, Florida, not only offers its inhabitants a life in the trees, but also an elevated, panoramic view of the turquoise sea and soft white sand at the doorstep
Unwind: Everything about this nest-like treehouse is designed for rest and relaxation. Hours could be spent winding away at this panoramic-viewed level, reclining in the hammock
The owners of this treehouse, in Florida, built it around a magnificent Australian pine tree that sat between their home and the beach. The idea to build a nest-like retreat around the tree came from wondering what the view would be like from the tree
The beach-house is two octagonal levels, built like a nest wrapped around a giant tree
Lantern: Like a giant lamp illuminating the surrounding woodland, this slatted structure climbs high up into the trees it is built around
Overlooking Ontario's beautiful Lake Muskoka, the summer retreat, designed by Four O Nine, is perched above a deer reserve
The contemporary triplex, built with a steel airline cables and a cedar-framed structure has a striking angular design and is beholden to the skies
Also in Canada, a hidden gem, perched in the woods of Whistler, is under threat from being torn down, its creators having stumbled with planning rules.
The egg-shaped home, known as the 'HemLoft' has been built by Joel Allen, a former software engineer, on Crown Land.
Joel built the treehouse between 2008 and 2009 but has only just let the world in on his secret project.
Sweden, a land of trees, is home to a striking red tree-hotel. The vivid raised structure, designed by Stockholm-based firm Sandell Sandberg, is a suite for holidaymakers who fancy transporting their contemporary life into the trees.
Robert Oshatz completed the enormous Wilkinson House in 2004 as an example of modern architecture at peace with its site. The house sits on a fast down sloping grade, which allows the main level of the house to be at a level among the tree canopy
New perspective: The vast residence puts the idea of a treehouse into a new perspective. The exterior of the house is a series of horizontal layers featuring copper, cedar shingles, and a copper metal roof
Walls made of glass provide abundant natural lighting on the interior and views to the surrounding canopy, satisfying the resident's desire to see and hear the surrounding bird life, and feel like a part of the landscape
The entrance walkway passes a small Japanese garden. The house has a highly spacious, open plan, with a variety of built in furnishings, countertops, and cabinets
Looming out into the trees, the magnificent structure is elevated into the canopy at one side of the house, since it is built on such a steep gradient
Surrounded by woodland and mostly in the canopy of the trees, the house even has its own secluded Japanese garden to enjoy
Beneath the shingled scarlet façade is a chic, contemporary Swedish interior with whitewashed walls.
A beautiful beach-house built like a nest wrapped around a pine tree, offers its inhabitants not only a special life in the trees, but also with the added bonus of a sea view and soft white sand at the doorstep.
The sympathetic structure, on Anna Marie Island, Florida, is also under threat from being pulled down due to a battle over planning regulations.
Ever wondered how the world's greatest song-writers get their inspiration? Well this fascinating sphere is that very place for Doors guitarist Robby Krieger
The musician had the incredible structure installed in the garden of his Beverly Hills home, California, after it was exhibited at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The structure is suspended by steel cables attached to the tree's upper branches, while a portion rests on the ground to alleviate some of the stress on the live oak
Two octagonal decks wrap around the tree like a nest, one on top, one below, and a small stairway platform joins the two, partially enclosed with railings.
A far more imposing and more modern take on the treehouse is perhaps Robert Oshatz's Wilkinson House, in . while the giant structure, completed in 2004, is certainly contemporary, it aims to also be at peace with its surroundings.
The house sits on a steep slope, surrounded by trees, so much of it is elevated above the ground, which falls away below.
The exterior features horizontal layers of copper, cedar shingles, and a copper metal roof.
This collection of incredible homes is the subject of an online feature in Architectural Design.
Teahouse treehouse: Japanese architect Terunobu Fujimori was enlisted by the Kiyharu Shirakaba Museum to create this teahouse which hovers amid the cherry blossom trees on its property. The cypress trunk that supports the structure passes through the interior, creating a unique focal point
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