What is it about tree houses that we love so much? Their playfulness, the escapism they offer, and the platforms they provide into nature all come to mind. We have written about the 4Treehouse by Lukasz Kos before, but when we saw it again in this month’s Dwell, the gorgeous glowing image stopped us in our tracks. Posing as a Japanese lantern on stilts, Kos’ creation floats within the fir trees on Lake Muskoka, Ontario, Canada.
What’s more, the design frames spectacular views of the forest, from inside, out, down and up!
Letting the existing trees set the parameters of the project, the tree house was constructed around the base of four existing trees, rather than stretching between them. The project was an exercise in minimizing impact to the trees, site, and nature itself. A swing was suspended from the four trees, forming the structural foundation for the tree house. The result is a delicate balance between the slat wall enclosure and the swaying trees.
The tall, tube-like structure allows for visitors to ascend up along with the trees. There are three – yes three! – levels which vary in transparency, letting light both in as well as out.
Lukasz Kos is a cofounder of Testroom, a Toronto-based architecture and design firm.
38 Responses to “4TREEHOUSE by Lukasz Kos”
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If only it was possible to experience that space first-hand.
that is so AMAZING!!!!
what i would give to have the patience and talent to create something as magnufucent as that
O_O Nice!
That would never got through the approvals process here in Australia, too small an asset protection zone from bushfire.
But wow!
Love the simplicity of it. Doesn’t compete with it’s surroundings.
[...] CHECK OUT THE TREEHOUSE AT NIGHT [...]
strong parallel visuals, but… gonna rot, though may not burn in Ontario. Also, the latticework will block sunlight, when the trees are already blocking sunlight.
when thinking about this type concept, i’ve wonderd how to maintain attachment to living things (trees) without harming.
in this structure, i also wonder about the red (interior) and bluish flooring materials.
We should all be living in these and give up our loveless fascination with modernist b.s. Regulations smegulations. I wish I could meet the brilliant person who created this because it has always been my dream to build liveable tree houses. I have some drawings and sketches he might be interested in for prototypes… ok to forward my email. Currently a student at Emily Carr.Thanks.
I just LOVE it!!
i don’t really like it
I love it! I’d love to live in a treehouse like that. Thanks for taking the time to post it. I just wonder if bugs would be a problem. With the trees INSIDE the living space. Or is it meant more for just part-time relaxing?
I AM A DESIGNER DRAUGHTSMAN FROM KERALA, INDIA . NOW I AM WORKING IN DUBAI.
REALLY I LIKE TREE HOUSES . YOUR TREE HOUSES ARE NICE AND SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS. IT LOOKS LIKE A HOME IN THE TREES . SURE EVERYBODY WILL LOVE IT….
WE HAVE MORE TREE HOUSES IN WAYANAD , KERALA IN DEEP FORESTS (INDIA.)
this is very beautiful but i can’t help wonder if the designer has left enough space around the tree trunks for future growth?
This is soo amazing,
[...] http://www.inhabitat.com/2006/08/31/4treehouse-by-lukasz-kos [...]
Cool post…it actually looks like something ewoks in Return of the Jedi would live in!
Cool! I’ve designed and built several treehouses (www.raphaeldamato.com) and I find this really beautiful. A wonderful juxtaposition to the surroundings. But the first thing I thought of is how is movement addressed with this structure? Trees don’t often move in sync; so attachment is tricky and needs to be very flexible. Is there any info on this structure’s engineering? Would love to know how the floor (and entire structure for that matter) is not torn apart in a gusty wind.
Thank you for all of the kind comments.
Much appreciated!
Lukasz Kos
M.Arch, M.A., B. Env. D.
http://www.studiolukaszkos.com
I LOVE IT! As has been stated numerous times above, but it doesn’t matter. I’m wondering what the view is out of that gigantic picture window in pic #5…
Actually, I don’t think I’d like it. It’s too open for living or camp outs — with no solid walls the bugs would eat you alive at night I’m guessing.
awesome …
wish i could be there … seems like it’d be a lot of fun …
I have my doubts about the design of this house, whether it allows for the
movement of trees in a strong wind. I lived 8 years in a tall forest in the
coastal range of California and the tall tree trunks swayed in the wind.
As they swayed, they reach a harmonic which seemed to increase the
amplitude of their swing. Tree trunks close together did not sway in the
same direction either, sometimes knocking against each other.
Where do people come up with this stuff? I would love to be able to create something like that for the kids – time, money and imagination – brilliant stuff.
[...] Dad never built anything like this for me – a three-level treehouse [...]
[...] Read and see more @ Inhabitat. [...]
[...] Freaking awesome tree house. [...]
[...] http://www.inhabitat.com/2006/08/31/4treehouse-by-lukasz-kos/ Share: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]
Nice,,,looking forward to own such one^^
[...] Incredibile casa sull’albero Inserito 26 Novembre, 2007 di Marco Di solito quando sento parlare di casa sull’albero mi vengono in mente le immagini delle casette costruite per i bambini negli USA. Qua, invece, ci troviamo di fronte ad una vera e propria abitazione. La casa, che assomiglia molto ad una lanterna giapponese, si trova su lago Muskoka nell’ Ontario ed è opera dell’architetto Lukasz Kos. Altre info e foto qui. [...]
[...] this dream could be enjoyable even as an adult with this great treehouse by Lukasz Kos of Testroom. See more at Inhabitat. If you liked this post, tag it: del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit Help or just subscribe to the RSS [...]
I saw this house in a magazine about a year ago. It’s actually suspended from the trees with big cables, and swings freely with the trees. It has a few anchors above and to the sides to keep it suspended and under control. It doesn’t stand on stilts, rather it hangs from fellow trees.
[...] If I owned a slight bigger version of this I’d never leave. It could use an adjacent small pub connected by a swinging bridge. Then, perfection. (via Designer Daily News) [...]
I love it!
And what happens when one or more of the trees die?
i love this!! i live on acreage where this would be possible. all i need with this is a vine!! where tarzan, me jane!!
[...] Tree houses are buildings constructed among the branches or next to the trunk of one or more mature trees, and are raised above the ground. Tree houses can be built for recreation or permanent habitation. Generally, the term “tree fort” is used only for recreational structures and not permanent homes. In this post you can see the 8 of the most amazing tree houses ever built. The 4TreeHouse was designed by Lukasz Kos masters student at the University of Toronto’s School of Architecture & Design. Posing as a Japanese lantern on stilts, Kos’ creation floats within the fir trees on Lake Muskoka, Ontario, an elegant slatted structure that scales the trees and lets light radiate down it’s core. The project was an exercise in minimizing impact to the trees, site, and nature itself. A swing was suspended from the four trees, forming the structural foundation for the tree house. The result is a delicate balance between the slat wall enclosure and the swaying trees. The tall, tube-like structure allows for visitors to ascend up along with the trees. Lukasz Kos is a cofounder of Testroom, a Toronto-based architecture and design firm. – Via – Inhabitat [...]
thats cool
absolutely amazing!
Anyone know of what species of fir tree is the treehouse built upon?