An Unusual Idea for a Tree House

From Lynn on November 10th, 2009 in General Remodel

They say things happen for a reason. I say, only if you let them.

Take this gigantic fallen pine tree, for example. When it fell several years ago, the owner of this Brentwood estate decided to simply let it be. And to his amazement, the tree continued to grow horizontally. Rather than tear it up by the roots, he honored its tough tree spirit by building an incredible tree house all around it.

The pine lies low in its LA digs, serving as a foundation of sorts underneath the multiuse office tree house by Rockefeller Partners Architects. The structure was designed with strategically placed, angled steel columns (like a bunch of wild trees growing right through the house), cedar and walnut woods, a lovely “butterfly” roof and a multitude of windows that allow nature inside.

Along with blending the house organically into its surroundings, the owner further honored the decades-old conifer with a window in the floor. Part of the inspirational tree can always be viewed by looking down at the floor.

This 172-square-foot house on top of a tree, on top of a hill gets high marks for letting Mother Nature do her thing.

Photo Credits: Buzz Beast & Dwell