In this first instalment on how to build a treehouse, we take you through the process of turning your dream into design that is fun, safe, and feasible.

Step 1: Dream big

This is the fun part.

Imagine yourself in a treehouse. How high up are you? Who are you with? What can you see? How did you get up there? What are you doing in there? What does the treehouse look like? What does it remind you of?

At this stage everything is in – the more creative and fun the better. The most important thing is that you imagine a treehouse that will work for you.

This is what we call ‘creating the brief’. And a treehouse will only ever be as good as the brief. The eventual treehouse may not be exactly as you imagined, but with good consultation and good design, at Treetop Co we aim to get it as close as we can whilst still being safe and practical.

You might want to jot it all down but don’t worry if you don’t have pen and paper, our team will ask you the right questions to help you conceptualise your perfect treehouse.

Step 2: Embody the trees

Next, we have perhaps the most important part of the treehouse building process: mapping the trees and landscape.

This isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. To design a treehouse that sits safely and harmoniously in the trees requires detailed dimensions and information about the trees themselves. The width and height of each branch. The angle at which it intersects the tree trunk. The health of the tree. How it interacts with the broader landscape. How close it is to a neighbouring garden. How the land slopes.

At Treetop Co we use state of the art 3D modelling technology that allows us to create a digital blueprint of your space. With this technology we can map every tree and its branches, garden features, and elevation. We then cross reference this with ground-based observations about the health of tree, ground drainage, and wind exposure.

Step 3: Let the trees lead the design

Producing a detailed, accurate, and to scale digital model of the landscape and trees presents a unique opportunity to design a treehouse that not just compliments nature, but takes inspiration from it.

At Treetop Co, we use the natural strength and shape of the trees to lead the design of our treehouses. For us, a real treehouse needs to be at least partially supported by the tree. Our accurate models allow us to incorporate the existing trees seamlessly into our treehouse design. This approach differs from most UK treehouse companies which typically offer stilt-based treehouses rather than working with the trees themselves.

A great example of how we work with what nature offers us is the Gracious Treehouse. For this ambitious build, our brief was grand but at heart quite simple ‘something which works with the trees.’ Our solution? A daring multi-platform treehouse with custom made staircases taking you on a journey through the two strong oak trees.

For us tree led design also means embodying the shapes of nature. We work with sexy curves and wavy stag wood to ensure that our builds harmonise with the landscape. Nature very rarely works in straight lines. The gorgeous ‘branch’ framed French doors of the Lyneham Treehouse encapsulate this perfectly.

Step 4: Iterate and perfect

Whilst we’d love to come up with the perfect design every time, your feedback and input is essential in getting it right. That’s why we involve you throughout the design process to ensure our final digital design model is as close to your dream as possible.

Feeling inspired? Reach out to us via our contact form to tell us about your ideas.

Like what you read? Keep an eye out for our future blogs which take you through the build process itself.

How do you build a treehouse? Start with a tree led design.