Free Spirit Eco Sphere Treehouses Let you Channel Your Inner Ewok

How delighted would you be if we told you that you could own your very own hanging treehouse? Inspired by the natural world around him, Canada-based Tom Chudleigh creates gorgeous wooden Free Spirit Eco Spheres, which can either sit on the ground or be suspended high in the trees by means of suspension lines and webbing. Available for purchase or for rent at Tom’s eco-retreat in the Pacific Northwest, they offer a whimsical new way to experience the outdoors. Whether your heart lies in Endor or Lothlorien, these hanging treehouses are sure to rejuvenate the wild-loving spirit within.

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Chudleigh’s simple floating spheres are hung like pendants from the treetops. Each sphere is handcrafted from fiberglass and locally sourced wood, can accommodate up to 4 people, and is capable of accepting an electrical line for electricity and heating. A web-like support system ensures that the spheres stay stable, and they can be reached by spiral staircases wound ’round the tree trunks.

Free Spirit Eco Spheres provide for the perfect outdoor retreat: as Tom says, “they occupy a truly unique place in the world while providing a habitat for the untamed spirit that exists in us all.”

+ Free Spirit Eco Spheres

21 thoughts on “Indulge Your Inner Ewok with a Hanging Treehouse Sphere”

Kenton Schassberger October 28, 2012 at 10:06 pm

It is neat to see tht some of the concepts first presented by artists and desingers of the 70s like Roger Dean pods concepts finaly being made, we all see ideas in nature that can be made into homes.

indostylee February 20, 2009 at 10:42 pm

the first time i saw this, i was blown away....i'm from vancouver island...born and raised and was surprised at the design and that it was practically in my backyard.....i think what tom chudleigh is trying to convey is somewhat of a prototype in how future, forward thinking people could live, in a sustainable community....as oxtena said he was open to suggestions and wasn't closed within his own self-serving architectural presentation to the world....if cheaper, mobile versions can be made of it without destroying pristine forests just so someone wants to go "hang out" in the forest, then beautiful...as i understand, he used to build boats and sussed out how to steam wood into a sphere, build one and fulfill a childhood fantasy.......remember, if anything, he's definitely sparked a positive fire here that can totally be improved upon - and that's a good thing!....by the way, this and the other unit are in his backyard, not in the middle of the forest.

otxena January 21, 2009 at 2:11 am

We stayed there for our two year wedding anniversary. Tom is an amazing, thoughtful, creative man who envisions requiring nature to sustain us rather than clearing it for our homes. He is so open to sharing how he creates the spheres, some of his visions for a community, and welcomes ideas from anyone interested. The space was like nothing we've ever felt. .. claustrophobic for five minutes and hypnotically calming for the next two days. We would have, could have stayed there forever, but more people are discovering it and hence we finally had to go home. It was by far the coolest place I've ever been.

Nelida Capela January 3, 2009 at 3:08 pm

Wonderful! I want one! I wanto to go to the woods.

werdsnave September 8, 2008 at 2:53 pm

reminds me of this project: http://www.flickr.com/photos/werdsnave/sets/72157594182480263/

BeatingTree August 29, 2008 at 6:44 pm

I definatly disagree and agreewith some ofthese comments, and i as well have some ofmy own. i disagree saying this is a non-eco friendly way. because it is true that the means of this design interfears with nature, however, what better way would we use? we live on a planet full of nature, so its either live within that nature kill of every human, or destroy nature for ourselves, which we are currently doing. if this design would be madewith bamboo that woul be excellnt, for bamboo is one of the strongest building sources. however i do like the idea of connecting tree houses with bridges, i would be concerned of storms breaking the bridges. All together i love the design, however i would be concerned about the size and fitting bed and bathroom in it.

SeanyM August 22, 2008 at 2:14 am

'ourplanet' is run by a guy named ryan flynn. He has created 2 'organisations' in the past claiming to help children from the sex slave in asia (white orchid and living legends). since they were not working, he felt he had to use this idea which has not worked in the past, under the names travelblag and traveller, traveller 2.0, and distance his name from it. Please google ryan flynn, with living legends, or while orchid, or traveller, or our planet all info is compiled here: http://webscammers.net/rfinfo/

nojodan August 3, 2008 at 5:25 pm

no me gustaria estar en una de esas bolas una noche de tormenta

DSkinner August 2, 2008 at 8:21 am

Some of the later people making comments are right. We must think of Gaia and listen to the Goracle. Encouraging people to visit pristine forests is evil. We should follow the lead of this man when building homes. If only I could be as in touch with the environment as he is. Gaia be praised.

filbruce August 1, 2008 at 1:13 am

If you live within the habitat of man eating bears, this would make sence.

bleepblop July 31, 2008 at 9:21 pm

I agree with morellid these are not "eco-friendly" at all. plus this is nothing close to an ewok village. I designed better looking tree houses than this when I was a child. Even the Swiss Family Robinson had 1 up on this design.

The Greenwood Collective » Ewok Style July 31, 2008 at 6:22 pm

[...] Inhabit covers the story behind these suspended Ewok balls in more detail here. [...]

erichansa July 31, 2008 at 10:52 am

I think the design is a perfekt solution in forest.

Anonymous July 29, 2008 at 5:54 am

I think the design is visually very pleasing but I would also worry about ventilation in such a structure in such humid tropical climates. Also some questions, as beautiful and remote as the current locations for these spheres are, how does one travel there (as a sphere owner from either Europe or the U.S.) as it stipulates you would have the right to occupancy for 70% of the time, without whacking up a bad conscience & contributing to global pollution from air travel emissions? Why not build these spheres in Europe / U.K / U.S etc where both shareholders and owners can both benefit from their renting out and also stay there themselves without the hassel? This would still benefit local communities, surely. Second question, who would maintain them throughout the year? And how? Looking forward with interest to your feedback. Petra (London)

morellid July 28, 2008 at 8:16 am

"...building eco-resorts in gorgeous pristine areas..." Anyone building a resort in a pristine area does not have nature close to her or his heart. This is definitely NOT eco-friendly development. Please don't fly half-way around the world to spend time in resorts in pristine areas. Do something meaningful and take a train to visit your grandparents before they die.

earthsmile July 27, 2008 at 3:17 am

Why not a grouping of hanging structures that interlink with walkways ? One module could be the bathroom module that way. It might also be better to create an artificial vertical support system, instead of using trees... and artificial 'branches' (I-beams... open web joists ?) Modules joined by walkways. Price each module: $15K US. Artificial central core support structure = $15K. Build out as you go. OR... use B.Fuller's 'tensegrity' concept to create lightweight skeletal frame covered with multi-layered fabric/foam board/waterproof, lightweight exterior element (like keeping warm in winter with multiple layers of clothes ?). Modules like these could be very inexpensive. See B.Fuller '4-D' house schematics for framing idea. make it a 'kit of parts'. All components being stock, industrial, off the shelf components. Good luck.

Acutsef July 26, 2008 at 6:30 pm

The Design looks fabulous, and looks great positioned. However I have to question how heavy the sphere is? It appears from the photos that the support system is dependent on the trees strength, which is dynamic. Is the sphere designed as a temporary structure? Also in regards of the ventilation, are the windows opening? or is the sphere totally sealed when the door is shut? This I feel would be a negative, especially in high humidity environments. Other than these questions I love this concept and hopes it succeeds, I can picture these in the native forests of New Zealand.

changeyourself July 26, 2008 at 1:00 pm

hi this is a pretty cool design . see how people have used bamboo for a whole strucutre as it is a fast growing bush which provides easy structure.

ourplanetretreats July 25, 2008 at 2:34 pm

An explanation to Clairsearch - "Please Understand, the photos here are fully loaded and retail at $125,000. The spheres for the retreats will be more simple and we subsidize the cost of construction" This is on the sphere section of the site. The costs of construction are a great deal less to us, as we build in developing countries. Materials and labor do not cost the same in PNG/Philippines/Vanuatu etc as they do in Canada.

M2JL July 25, 2008 at 11:06 am

Impressive. It looks like a giant bird feeder. Too bad the inside isn't more modern

clairseach July 25, 2008 at 10:32 am

I don't get it, these are made by a guy on Vancouver Island, BC and cost a fortune. I've seen the TV spots and newspaper articles. N.B. no toilet. Nice idea though.

Kenton Schassberger October 28, 2012 at 10:06 pm

It is neat to see tht some of the concepts first presented by artists and desingers of the 70s like Roger Dean pods concepts finaly being made, we all see ideas in nature that can be made into homes.
indostylee February 20, 2009 at 10:42 pm

the first time i saw this, i was blown away....i'm from vancouver island...born and raised and was surprised at the design and that it was practically in my backyard.....i think what tom chudleigh is trying to convey is somewhat of a prototype in how future, forward thinking people could live, in a sustainable community....as oxtena said he was open to suggestions and wasn't closed within his own self-serving architectural presentation to the world....if cheaper, mobile versions can be made of it without destroying pristine forests just so someone wants to go "hang out" in the forest, then beautiful...as i understand, he used to build boats and sussed out how to steam wood into a sphere, build one and fulfill a childhood fantasy.......remember, if anything, he's definitely sparked a positive fire here that can totally be improved upon - and that's a good thing!....by the way, this and the other unit are in his backyard, not in the middle of the forest.
otxena January 21, 2009 at 2:11 am

We stayed there for our two year wedding anniversary. Tom is an amazing, thoughtful, creative man who envisions requiring nature to sustain us rather than clearing it for our homes. He is so open to sharing how he creates the spheres, some of his visions for a community, and welcomes ideas from anyone interested. The space was like nothing we've ever felt. .. claustrophobic for five minutes and hypnotically calming for the next two days. We would have, could have stayed there forever, but more people are discovering it and hence we finally had to go home. It was by far the coolest place I've ever been.
Nelida Capela January 3, 2009 at 3:08 pm

Wonderful! I want one! I wanto to go to the woods.
werdsnave September 8, 2008 at 2:53 pm

reminds me of this project: http://www.flickr.com/photos/werdsnave/sets/72157594182480263/
BeatingTree August 29, 2008 at 6:44 pm

I definatly disagree and agreewith some ofthese comments, and i as well have some ofmy own. i disagree saying this is a non-eco friendly way. because it is true that the means of this design interfears with nature, however, what better way would we use? we live on a planet full of nature, so its either live within that nature kill of every human, or destroy nature for ourselves, which we are currently doing. if this design would be madewith bamboo that woul be excellnt, for bamboo is one of the strongest building sources. however i do like the idea of connecting tree houses with bridges, i would be concerned of storms breaking the bridges. All together i love the design, however i would be concerned about the size and fitting bed and bathroom in it.
SeanyM August 22, 2008 at 2:14 am

'ourplanet' is run by a guy named ryan flynn. He has created 2 'organisations' in the past claiming to help children from the sex slave in asia (white orchid and living legends). since they were not working, he felt he had to use this idea which has not worked in the past, under the names travelblag and traveller, traveller 2.0, and distance his name from it. Please google ryan flynn, with living legends, or while orchid, or traveller, or our planet all info is compiled here: http://webscammers.net/rfinfo/
nojodan August 3, 2008 at 5:25 pm

no me gustaria estar en una de esas bolas una noche de tormenta
DSkinner August 2, 2008 at 8:21 am

Some of the later people making comments are right. We must think of Gaia and listen to the Goracle. Encouraging people to visit pristine forests is evil. We should follow the lead of this man when building homes. If only I could be as in touch with the environment as he is. Gaia be praised.
filbruce August 1, 2008 at 1:13 am

If you live within the habitat of man eating bears, this would make sence.
bleepblop July 31, 2008 at 9:21 pm

I agree with morellid these are not "eco-friendly" at all. plus this is nothing close to an ewok village. I designed better looking tree houses than this when I was a child. Even the Swiss Family Robinson had 1 up on this design.
The Greenwood Collective » Ewok Style July 31, 2008 at 6:22 pm

[...] Inhabit covers the story behind these suspended Ewok balls in more detail here. [...]
erichansa July 31, 2008 at 10:52 am

I think the design is a perfekt solution in forest.
Anonymous July 29, 2008 at 5:54 am

I think the design is visually very pleasing but I would also worry about ventilation in such a structure in such humid tropical climates. Also some questions, as beautiful and remote as the current locations for these spheres are, how does one travel there (as a sphere owner from either Europe or the U.S.) as it stipulates you would have the right to occupancy for 70% of the time, without whacking up a bad conscience & contributing to global pollution from air travel emissions? Why not build these spheres in Europe / U.K / U.S etc where both shareholders and owners can both benefit from their renting out and also stay there themselves without the hassel? This would still benefit local communities, surely. Second question, who would maintain them throughout the year? And how? Looking forward with interest to your feedback. Petra (London)
morellid July 28, 2008 at 8:16 am

"...building eco-resorts in gorgeous pristine areas..." Anyone building a resort in a pristine area does not have nature close to her or his heart. This is definitely NOT eco-friendly development. Please don't fly half-way around the world to spend time in resorts in pristine areas. Do something meaningful and take a train to visit your grandparents before they die.
earthsmile July 27, 2008 at 3:17 am

Why not a grouping of hanging structures that interlink with walkways ? One module could be the bathroom module that way. It might also be better to create an artificial vertical support system, instead of using trees... and artificial 'branches' (I-beams... open web joists ?) Modules joined by walkways. Price each module: $15K US. Artificial central core support structure = $15K. Build out as you go. OR... use B.Fuller's 'tensegrity' concept to create lightweight skeletal frame covered with multi-layered fabric/foam board/waterproof, lightweight exterior element (like keeping warm in winter with multiple layers of clothes ?). Modules like these could be very inexpensive. See B.Fuller '4-D' house schematics for framing idea. make it a 'kit of parts'. All components being stock, industrial, off the shelf components. Good luck.
Acutsef July 26, 2008 at 6:30 pm

The Design looks fabulous, and looks great positioned. However I have to question how heavy the sphere is? It appears from the photos that the support system is dependent on the trees strength, which is dynamic. Is the sphere designed as a temporary structure? Also in regards of the ventilation, are the windows opening? or is the sphere totally sealed when the door is shut? This I feel would be a negative, especially in high humidity environments. Other than these questions I love this concept and hopes it succeeds, I can picture these in the native forests of New Zealand.
changeyourself July 26, 2008 at 1:00 pm

hi this is a pretty cool design . see how people have used bamboo for a whole strucutre as it is a fast growing bush which provides easy structure.
ourplanetretreats July 25, 2008 at 2:34 pm

An explanation to Clairsearch - "Please Understand, the photos here are fully loaded and retail at $125,000. The spheres for the retreats will be more simple and we subsidize the cost of construction" This is on the sphere section of the site. The costs of construction are a great deal less to us, as we build in developing countries. Materials and labor do not cost the same in PNG/Philippines/Vanuatu etc as they do in Canada.
M2JL July 25, 2008 at 11:06 am

Impressive. It looks like a giant bird feeder. Too bad the inside isn't more modern
clairseach July 25, 2008 at 10:32 am

I don't get it, these are made by a guy on Vancouver Island, BC and cost a fortune. I've seen the TV spots and newspaper articles. N.B. no toilet. Nice idea though.