7 amazing treehouses that you wish you had
By Sumiko Wilson on Jun 24, 2016
For most children, a backyard treehouse is a dream come true, but many people will go their whole childhood without one. Some carry the dream into adulthood and go on to build amazing treehouses that exude youthful whimsy and imaginative architecture.
For those who aren’t up to the challenge of building their own leafy lounge, there is a special filter on Airbnb that lets users sift through a lengthy list of treehouse-inspired homes that you can stay in around the world.
Check out these seven amazing treehouses that you (not so) secretly wish you had:
1) Bird Apartment, Japan
Self-proclaimed design addict Oki Sato designed Japan’s Bird Apartment for the Momofuku Ando Center, which promotes access to nature. Staying true to Momofuku’s mission, the treetop Bird Apartment is equipped with 78 bird apartment units and accompanying windows for one visitor at a time to get an intimate glimpse at otherwise elusive aviary wildlife. 2) Nasu Tea Treehouse, Japan
Treehouse czar Takashi Kobayashi’s strongly believes that treehouses are the key to sustainable living. By reviving the public’s interest in nature, we will feel more inclined to preserve it. So when Kobayashi designed the Nasu Tea Treehouse, he pulled out all the stops to create a cozy woodland hideout3) Djuren Treehouse, Germany
Though the 114 square foot treehouse is small, there is just enough room to relax. Designers decked out the pod-shaped Djuren Treehouse with comfy grey felt sleeping benches, pot lights and a sleek white finish, proving that you don’t need to sacrifice style when you’re chilling in the sky.4) The Mirrorcube, Sweden
Camouflage is one of the most effective survival strategies for forest prey and thanks to the mirrored exterior, the ultra-modern Mirrorcube blends right into its surroundings. And with minimalism being a cornerstone of Scandinavian design, it is no surprise that the designers, Tham & Videgard embraced the less-is-more philosophy for the showstopper of Sweden’s Treehotel complex. Inside, guests are treated to a double bed, full bathroom, a lounge, rooftop terrace and WiFi! 5) The Cocoon, England
Somewhere among the trees in the Architectural Association’s Hooke Park sits a massive cocoon made of plywood and cedar. The whimsical treehouse sits suspended from three trees and is the brainchild of design students from AA’s School of Architecture who sought to optimize the use of natural materials from the park that would have otherwise gone to waste.Weaving through twigs and trees, the Cocoon was built to encourage people to appreciate the park from a new perspective. It is also said to be one of the best places to catch the sunset in Hooke Park. 6) 4TREEHOUSE, Canada
When Toronto-native Lukasz Kos designed 4TREEHOUSE, his goal was to make it as low-impact as possible. So to coincide with his vision, the lantern-esque Muskoka Lake treehouse sits 20 feet above ground with the help of steel airline cables, creating a stunning floating effect and putting minimal impact on surrounding trees. 7) Honey Sphere Treehouse, USA
Likening its shape to its sweet namesake, the Honey Sphere forgoes walls and ceilings to create a fully immersive outdoor experience. To minimize its impact, designers O2 Treehouse left a portion of the sphere to rest on the ground, whereas the rest of the structure is suspended by steel cables. They reduced waste by using leftover wood to make a mandala design on the floor.When The Honey Sphere was on display, it caught the eye of The Doors’ Robby Krieger, who bought the treehouse and installed it in his home. Don’t be afraid to take your fun to new heights this summer! And since you probably don’t have the option to live in a treehouse, you should search for your new home here!
