Diamond-Shaped Tornado Treehouse Made From Reclaimed Wood Springs Up in LA

Treehouses don't have to be just for children - they are a great way for the environmentally conscious to recycle wood and other materials while enjoying nature with a bird's-eye view. Treehouse builder to the stars (including Sting and Val Kilmer), <a href="http://romerostudios.com/" target="_blank">Roderick Romero</a> is so talented that he doesn't even need a giant backyard tree to create his structures. Master of the "tree-less" tree house, Romero focuses instead on trees as materials, recycling wood to create sustainable huts. He has just unveiled a new two story diamond-shaped structure with an observation deck -- a design he calls a "tornado" of reclaimed wood. Hit the jump to climb up top and check out the view!

Since the Bel Air tree house had to be finished in less than two weeks, Romero called in the help of his friend, designer and carpenter <a href="http://cargocollective.com/casperdub#856098/TREEHOUSES" target="_blank">Jeff Casper</a>. Together, they constructed the shelter using 100% <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/reclaimed-wood">reclaimed wood</a>.

The main core of the tree house is supported with super strong vintage Douglas fir beams from <a href="http://www.terramai.com/">Terramai</a>, a local recycled timber company. The rest of the structure - including its dazzling exterior of swirling wood pieces - is made from reclaimed mixed-species Brazilian hardwoods.

The entrance to the wooden structure is a tiny hidden opening in the back. Here there is a sub deck constructed with incredible detail including a unique swirling wall centerpiece.

Visitors travel up the handmade ladder to a hinged hatch that opens up to an incredible slanted deck with a panoramic views of Los Angeles.

The deck widens from 12 feet to 15 feet as you walk up the slant with hand rails guiding the way.

There is even a wrap-around bench on the upper level for visitors to sit down and enjoy the fresh air. Roderick Romero and his wife, Anisa created their firm, <a href="http://romerostudios.com/" target="_blank">Romero Studios</a>, in 1997. They have since been dedicated to building sustainable structures that are harmonious with nature and unique for each owner.