Tag Treetop

Designed by Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta in collaboration with engineer Tor Helge Dokka, this off-grid three-bedroom family home in Kongsberg, Norway is called House Dokka. It occupies 2045 square meters and is inspired by treehouse architecture. The home was created to share a serene connection with nature, allowing both to embrace one another. The house is also called Column House, and it was awarded the Architecture Prize for 2023 by the Kongsberg municipality.

Designer: Snøhetta x Tor Helge Dokka

The quaint House Dokka is deftly suspended over the stunning Norwegian landscape, as it is perched on large wooden columns, that have been firmly grounded into the rock, to minimize any kind of interference or disturbance to the surrounding environment. House Dokka was built using locally produced cross-laminated timber, and glue-laminated timber. Both the timbers ensure that the home can be easily deconstructed with minimal climate costs, whenever the life cycle of the home comes to an end. No nails were used in the construction of the home, which allows the materials to be easily sorted and recycled in the future.

Snøhetta’s goal of sustainability for the home is seen throughout the structure in the form of the large photovoltaic panels on the roof, superior insulation as well as a waterborne heat system that is linked to the ground via a source heart pump. In turn, the home produces more energy than it consumes in less than a decade! Besides generating energy for the house itself, energy is also generated for charging the family’s electric car, almost 75% of it.

The home has an eye-catching and appealing exterior which is accentuated by the black-stained timber paneling that clads it. The interiors of the home feature warm timber paneling and polished concrete flooring, which are paired up with massive black-framed windows that provide access to stunning views. The home contains two levels, with the upper floor housing an open-plan living and dining area, kitchen, master bedroom, hidden bathroom, and a timber outdoor terrace. The lower level accommodates two more bedrooms, as well as a home office, guest suite, lounge, laundry space, and a central shared bathroom.

If you’re looking for a tropical treetop getaway then you may want to consider the Lost Lindenburg resort in Bali, Indonesia. Designed by local architects Alexis Dornier and Studio Jencquel, the Lost Lindenburg resort is a stunning waterfront property in the dense lush jungle of Jembrana. The resort includes eight bedrooms that are elevated to create an “unusual, dreamy experience” for guests.

Designer: Alexis Dornier and Studio Jencquel

The treehouse-style bedrooms of the Lost Lindenberg resort are connected via elevated walkways, building a space that is on the same level as the tree canopy. “Perched like giants amongst an array of coconut palms and protruding from the canopy of the tropical landscape, four towers arise from the black sandy beach below,” said Alexis Dornier and Studio Jencquel. “We wanted to give the feeling of walking in a different world, of resting on a floating ship, elevated and safe, with the wild jungle at your doorstep. Grouped closely together, the towers form a floating village in the trees.”

As you enter the resort using a door in the wall, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the vibrant neon light installation by German artist Tobias Rehberger that attempts to contrast the otherwise serene and peaceful spaces around. Formal reception areas have been integrated to “break the barrier between hosts and guests”. The four towers of the resort include two bedrooms connected via a communal concrete terrace. The aforementioned elevated walkways urge the guests to spend time with each other. The lower-level spaces are clad in wooden slats and concealed. The slats control the views and light.

While at the upper level, the rooms occupy a pyramidal form owing to the shallow unique roofs. This form provides shade to the space below while providing stunning views of the lush green landscape. “Clad in wood from head to toe and painted the colors of the forest, these colossal structures blend well into their environment,” said the architects. “Only a jagged roofline barely discernible from afar by the fishermen out at sea is hidden amongst the trees and high enough to overlook the Indian Ocean,” they concluded.

As a child, we’ve all dreamed of having a large enchanting treehouse in our backyards. A place we can play all day in, and spend our summer coasting above the ground, in the canopy of a beautiful tree. As an adult, we can actually make that dream come true with Casa Monoculo. Designed by Brasília-based architect Alan Chu, the Casa Monoculo is a contemporary Brazilian home that is situated above the densely forested area of Eldorado, a neighborhood of Alto Paraiso City. The stunning home is elevated above the ground and is designed to provide a unique twist on the concept of treetop living. But it is not simply an ordinary treehouse, it is spacious and modern, no different than any of the finely done villas you see today. It provides expansive views of the beautiful surroundings while creating a luxurious living experience.

Pros:

• Provide a luxurious treetop living experience
• Provides long stunning vistas of the city, sunrise, and the mountains

Cons:

• Doesn’t seem like the house can accommodate a large number of guests, better suited for smaller parties

Designer: Alan Chu

The site is located near the city center, it required working with unusual conditions. Despite its location, it is surrounded by greenery and preserved Cerrado vegetation, which required the architect to adopt a sensitive approach. He elevated the structure from the ground, to ensure that no disturbance was caused to the existing nature, and no trees had to be cut down. As a result, the home is supported by 12 black metal pillars, five meters above the ground. It touches the ground quite lightly and also provides the residents with long stunning views of the city, sunrise, and the mountains in the distance.

Called Casa Monoculo, the house is named after the traditional monocle which translates to monóculo’ in Portuguese. The entire home was designed with the intention to frame experiences and capture and elevate the beautiful environment via the thoughtfully and well-done setup. An impressive winding staircase welcomes visitors from the ground to the house above, allowing them to connect to the surroundings on their way up.

“The Monóculo house has been designed to not only leave an everlasting memory of the view but to have provided its guests with a unique and unforgettable experience,” said Chu. And, truly the home functions as a warm, inviting, and spacious living setup that makes you feel truly connected with nature, and allows you to appreciate it admiringly from a distance.