Dreaming in the Coolest Tree Houses Around the World

Regardless of whether it?s an urbane boutique hotel in Istanbul or an indie Latin-influenced hacienda in Mexico, where you lay your head plays an integral role in your travel mood. As soon as we picked up Philip Jodidio's Tree House, a book that combines our childhood fantasy with grown-up savoir-faire, we knew we were in for a dreamy ride. Our fantasy of staying in a tree house with all hotel amenities may be our next imaginary vacation, but in the meantime, get inspired by these real-life grown up playgrounds -- some designed by architects, others the work of unknown craftsmen. Then find out what to wear there!

Regardless of whether it?s an urbane boutique hotel in Istanbul or an indie Latin-influenced hacienda in Mexico, where you lay your head plays an integral role in your travel mood. As soon as we picked up Philip Jodidio's Tree House, a book that combines our childhood fantasy with grown-up savoir-faire, we knew we were in for a dreamy ride. Our fantasy of staying in a tree house with all hotel amenities may be our next imaginary vacation, but in the meantime, get inspired by these real-life grown up playgrounds -- some designed by architects, others the work of unknown craftsmen. Then find out what to wear there!

 

Lead image: Pink paradise -- Terunobu Fujimori?s stunning Teahouse Tetsu offers cherry blossom admirers an incomparable bird?s-eye view. Supported by a single cypress trunk that passes through the structure, the teahouse is designed to sway with its support in case of storms of earthquakes. Photo by Akihisa Masuda.

 

 

The living area of the Blue Cone brings to mind modern Swedish design more than a tree-house space. Wood, floors, and a large window give the impression of a more ?normal? hotel than that of a hotel room lifted up on pilotis in the midst of the forest.

 

From a distance (right) the tree house looks very much like a church, but its mass and complexity are the very personal invention of its designer and builder.

 

 

The upper, suspended level of their structure provides from comfortable conditions quite literally in the midst of the natural setting of the forest.

 

 

The interior of the tree house has a decidedly rustic appearance, as evidenced by these views of the high-ceiling living space. This style matches the exterior of the structure perfectly.

 

 

The shingles used on the facades continue on the sloped roof of the Blue Cone tree house. The bridge leading to the tree house takes in a tree as though it were part of the structure.

 

Designed by Gentil Harmstrom, like the Bird?s Next Tree Hotel also published in this volume (p. 70), the UFO shares a circular plan with its counterpart but not much else ? this UFO looks almost real!

 

 

The roof of the tree house is covered in hand-rolled copper sheets. The architect says he ?is not interested in making a tree house on top of a natural tree,? preferring an ?artificial construction.?

 

 

This project has an unusual mixture of what might be called rustic and classical qualities. The tree that pierces the structure supports it entirely.

 

 

What to Wear There: From the Road, Adele Dejak, and Joli, Proudly Made in India

 

Main image: Adele Dejak Assine Horn Necklace, From top: Adele Dejak Ankore Cuff, Joli, Proudly Made in India Burgundy market Shree Bag, From the Road Boma Bracelet 

 

 

To see the 50 coolest tree houses from around the world, head to Taschen's website to order the book! Click here.