The property is on the edge of the village with a few detached houses and plenty of trees. The clients wanted an unusual and comfortable treehouse – a nest for the whole family. How this wish was to be implemented was left entirely to baumraum. The rounded shape of this treehouse is reminiscent of an egg cut open longitudinally. This association is heightened through the accenting of the gable surfaces with cream-painted perspex, and the elliptically-shaped windows. On the other hand, the materials chosen for the other external elements, such as the terrace and the underside of the treehouse, are more robust, with these being constructed of indigenous oak. Sheet zinc was used for the treehouse roof. One special detail is the curved glass area on the front façade. The weight of the treehouse is borne by both the trees and by supports. The weight of the two terraces and the horizontal load of the treehouse is distributed across the oaks by means of steel cables and textile straps. The treehouse’s vertical loads rest on four v-shaped steel supports.

The interior’s special effect is down to the rounded shape and the reduced use of materials. White painted surfaces, a large number of windows and the curved sitting and reclining areas, covered in grey wool felt, lend this space in the trees a light and elegant character. Highlights have been created through the use of oiled oak in the flooring and the window frames. The pull-out box fronts are made of perspex with inlaid reddish bamboo.

Location: Groß Ippener in North Germany
Photographer: Alasdair Jardine

For + info & work, please visit the architect’s website here