Cork-Clad Treehouse Grows Roots & Intermingles with the Branches

Nestled into the branches of a hundred year old oak tree in Extremadura, Spain is private treehouse for children to play and adults to relax in. The <a href="http://www.urbanarbolismo.es/blog/?p=1660" target="_blank">Rooted Treehouse</a>, designed and built by Alicante-based <a href="http://inhabitat.com/urbanarbolismo-unveils-gorgeous-vertical-garden-set-within-a-sweeping-ceramic-facade/">Urbanarbolismo</a>, is hidden amongst the branches and leaves of the tree as a secret escape. To minimize impact on the tree, the deck and enclosed space are held up by extra stabilizers and supports that extend down to the ground like roots. The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/treehouse">treehouse </a>relies on natural daylighting and is covered in a heather-like material and raw cork bark.

To design the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/blue-forests-treehouse-office-is-a-high-flying-wooden-workplace/">treehouse</a> and minimize the impact on the tree, Urbanarbolismo utilized photogrammetry to make an accurate 3D model of the tree.

With this model, the team could fine tune their design to fit within the branches exactly, planning ahead where all the supports would go and appropriately building for the load.

In the end, no branch or stick was cut during construction and the entire tree remains intact.

The main tree room sits within the center of the trees branches, while the deck unfolds in front of it and wraps around large branches.

Some of the branches shoot up through the roof creating a canopy of leaves and shade.

Multiple supports reach down to the ground acting as additional foundations and access points up to the treehouse.

Stairs, rope ladders, a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/utrecht-transfer-accelerator-aka-a-slide-gets-passengers-to-their-trains-quicker/">slide</a> and a bridge provide access to the treehouse and are the only things visible from a distance sticking out underneath the leaves.

The treehouse's silhouette shows how much it relies on the extra stabilizers for support so as not to impact the tree.

Windows around the main room fill the space with filtered light to simulate natural lighting.

The roof is covered in heather, which gives it a thatched roof look and long strips of raw cork bark are used as cladding.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/cork">cork</a>, which is a local product, is completely untreated or processed and still has lichen on it from when it was growing on the tree.

At night internal lights shine out from the space.

The treehouse is meant to be hidden from viewers and to blend into the natural space.