A Slight Diversion

Combining architecture and landscaping, imaginative builders create treehouses which mix into their surroundings and preserve the health of the trees that support them. Some treehouses blend a classic look with contemporary angles, clean lines and modern design elements. These treetop dwellings mix with their natural settings and are often customized to client specifications.

Biotecture Treehouse

German landscape architect, Rudolf Doernach, developed treehouse-building techniques that he broadly called “biotecture” or “agritecture”
These methods are set up to be largely self-sustaining. Once the initial planting and early training of the branches is complete, the structures continue to grow on their own. Eco-friendly treehouses use minimal external energy while providing maximum agricultural yield.

With proper knowledge, the architect believes, you can grow your own house. These are the ultimate in low-cost, low-maintenance, zero-energy homes

Planning, Designing, Dreaming

S.Peter Lewis' Dream Treehouse

Once a tree or trees to be built in is chosen and its been check by a professional, you’re ready to move on. Get familiar with as many types of treehouses as you can. There are books, websites and local treehouses you can look at. Talk to a local treehouse builder or an architect and let them access the treehouse site. The more knowledge that is gained before starting the better the process will go. Try sketching ideas out on paper and don’t worry about how good the drawing looks. This is a time for imaging things, of taking the dream of a treetop dwelling and turning it into a reality. A good architect, designer or a builder can take a bunch of scribbles and turn it into something terrific, so don’t be self-conscious, start dreaming.

Perhaps one of the best examples of planning a treehouse is S. Peter Lewis who wrote a book called “Treehouse Chronicles” about his inspiring effort to build the treehouse of his dreams. He met with structural engineers, had architectural drawings done and visualization sketches of what his treehouse would ultimately look like. The result was a spectacular structure that took four years to build.

Shoulder Bracing

Building a structure that detailed and big is not for most people. Most of us want to build a treehouse that the family can enjoy and it doesn’t cost much or take too long to erect. That still requires a plan and as detailed a sketch as possible of the overall structure and sketches of structure details if needed. From those sketches you will be making a list of lumber, fasteners and tools needed to do the job.

S.Peter Lewis' Treehouse

If the treehouse vision is too much to handle by alone you may want to hire a builder. Show him your sketches. Make sure the builder shows some of his past work and gives references. Interview a few, time that is spent organizing in the beginning will save headaches along the way.