Architecture

Dom'Up takes camping in the trees to new heights

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Dom'Up is an innovative treehouse that draws inspiration from tree camping and traditional treehouse structure
Dutch arboriculturist Bruno de Grunne and architect Nicolas d'Ursel from Trees and People have invented a new suspension style cabin called Dom'Up
Dom'Up is an innovative treehouse that draws inspiration from tree camping and traditional treehouse structure
Dom'Up is an tree shelter that's reported easy to install and leaves no trace or impact on its surrounding environment and trees
The Dom'Up comes equipped with a UV-resistant double canvas tent shelter
The Dom'Up features a protective roofing made from durable thermo-welded tarpaulin
The Dom'Up features a large terrace and an open interior space which can be used for a bedroom or living space
Dom'Up draws inspiration from tree camping and traditional treehouse structures
Users can zip up the tent and enjoy a cosy night among the treetops
By moving the bed onto the terrace, users can enjoy a night under the stars
The tree shelter is reported easy to install and leaves no trace or impact on its surrounding environment and trees
Dom'Up offers a new type of treetop glamping
Dom'Up features a lightweight 16 sq m (172 sq ft) octagonal platform which is suspended between two trees
Dutch arboriculturist Bruno de Grunne and architect Nicolas d'Ursel from Trees and People have invented a new suspension style cabin called Dom'Up
The structure of the Dom'Up is made from galvanized steel and natural wooden flooring
Dom'Up is suspended between two trees and utilizes a No Trace arboreal fixing system
Dom'Up can be used to create a treetop resort
The wooden floor boards can be removed during the winter or rainy periods and easily reinstalled in time for spring
An external railing has been flat fitted around the shelter for additional security
Dom'Up takes as little as two days to be fully installed and can stay in the trees for decades
Dom'Up can be used for hunters
Access to the treehouse is by an easy-to-use wooden ladder with hand rails
Dom'Up could make a great addition to the backyard
Dom'Up blends into its environment
Dom'Up is an eco-responsible alternative to traditional treehouses
Dom'Up is available for purchase worldwide and can be easily installed
View gallery - 25 images

Dutch arboriculturist Bruno de Grunne and architect Nicolas d'Ursel from Trees and People have invented a new suspension style cabin called Dom'Up. This innovative treehouse draws inspiration from tree camping and traditional treehouse structures. The end result is a tree shelter that's reported easy to install and leaves no trace or impact on its surrounding environment and trees.

Dom'Up features a lightweight 16 sq m (172 sq ft) octagonal platform which is suspended between two trees, utilizing Trees and People's No Trace arboreal fixing system.

"The idea is to use the inner space of the forest, between the trees, rather than the inner space of a single tree which is full of branches and obstacles," de Grunne tells Gizmag. "Using our hanging system, we can distribute the weight of the structure with greater support, while having a lower impact on the trees. In fact, a tree can adapt itself to the constant tension like it does naturally with constant wind and we can achieve zero impact on the landscape. It is much better for the trees to hang treehouses between trees with our No Trace hanging devices, rather than trying to build into one or more trees."

Dutch arboriculturist Bruno de Grunne and architect Nicolas d'Ursel from Trees and People have invented a new suspension style cabin called Dom'Up

The Dom'Up comes equipped with a UV-resistant double canvas tent shelter, protective roofing made from durable thermo-welded tarpaulin, a large terrace and an open interior space which can be used for a bedroom or living space. By simply moving the bed to the terrace users can enjoy a night under the stars or simply keep the bed inside, zip up the tent and enjoy a cosy night among the treetops.

The structure of the Dom'Up is made from galvanized steel, natural wooden flooring and external railing has been flat fitted around the shelter for additional security. The wooden floor boards can be removed during the winter or rainy periods and easily reinstalled in time for Spring. Access to the treehouse is either by an easy-to-use wooden ladder with hand rails or specifically designed stairs or a suspension bridge, depending on the landscape.

By moving the bed onto the terrace, users can enjoy a night under the stars

According to de Grunne Dom'Up takes as little as two days to be fully installed and can stay in the trees for years. "The body of the rig has been studied by the well-known engineering company Greisch, to be light, resistant and easy to build or remove, with no need of a crane," says de Grunne. "The overall durability will depend on the weather conditions but the body of the structure can remain for decades and the tent materials for at least ten years.”

With that being said, the ropes and straps of the Dom'Up will need to be replaced every 5 years in accordance with European safety standards. Trees and People are also working on an updated insulated version of the Dom'Up which will feature a firewood heating system and it is hoped to be ready in time for next (Northern) winter.

Dom'Up shelters could make a great addition to the backyard and are suitable for treetop glamping, a treetop office, a treetop resort or even a unique restaurant.

Dom'Up is available for purchase worldwide and can be easily installed by a member of the Trees and People network or any arborist. The cost of the Dom'Up excluding installation is €25,000 (US$28,215).

Sources: Dom'Up

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6 comments
jerryd
Now this is how tree houses need to be done, light, movable and doesn't kill the tree. The only problem is the price and the height of the rail which will only cause someone more likely to fall hitting them at the knee. It needs to be at least 1' higher.
Chevypower
Do a version in camo for a hunting hide. There's a big market right there.
Bruce Warren
In US National Parks, even little personal hammocks that wrap around tree trunks are not allowed due to damage to the bark and critical cambium layer. Seems like the compression forces from the DomUp mounting strap could kinda choke a tree. But the price!1 $28,000 plus installation cost of maybe $5,000 sure makes it expensive for a summer only shelter. My personal experience with large permanent tents under big trees is that at least two big branches per year will fall from above and rip the roof apart. And squirrels will chew/claw holes thru the roof if anything inside smells good.
MQ
Not exactly camping friendly, though for a private permanent campsite could be a draw-card.
Home handyman, could rig it up in a couple of afternoons, and the missus can sew up a tent to cover it all off.
Tree protection, nice that they use some heavy-duty collars, to protect the life of a tree, a pressure relieving collar under the strap will allow the sap to flow and not ring-bark the poor tree. Redundancy of supports would also be a great Idea, that way IF tie-ups do fail the whole thing won't just drop all lopsided. Also, it would allow intermittent relocation/maintenance of the supports if desired.
Consultants fee in the mail, Patent application already at the office. jk.
ivan4
Err... What happens when the wind gets up and starts moving the trees supporting this relative to each other - sea sickness or is that tree sickness? Also what happens to the access ladder when it is tossed about?
Buellrider
Why not price it at 100,000 since that price is as likely to find a buyer as 28,000 bucks. Come on with these way out prices for a little of nothing.