Tiny Houses

Tiny treehouses offer space-saving luxury among the treetops

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The Woodnest Mountaintops are available for rent, starting at NOK 3,300 (roughly US$295) per night
Albert Heisler
The Woodnest Mountaintops are available for rent, starting at NOK 3,300 (roughly US$295) per night
Albert Heisler
The Woodnest Mountaintops are raised 6 m (19.6 ft) above the forest floor and accessed by a small footbridge
Albert Heisler
Each of the Woodnest Mountaintops' exteriors are finished in 18,000 individual timber shingles
Albert Heisler
Each of the two Woodnest Mountaintops treehouses is fastened to the trunk of a pine tree using a steel collar that leaves some room for the tree to continue to grow
Albert Heisler
The interiors in the Woodnest Mountaintops include generous glazing, putting the focus on the view
Albert Heisler
The elevating bed in the Woodnest Mountaintops turns the main living area into the bedroom
Albert Heisler
The Woodnest Mountaintops elevating beds lower down from the ceiling at the touch of a button
Albert Heisler
The Woodnest Mountaintops include a basic kitchen with two-burner stove, sink, cabinetry and sink
Albert Heisler
The interior design of the Woodnest Mountaintops embraces natural wood
Albert Heisler
The Woodnest Mountaintops include a separate WC with flushing toilet and sink
Albert Heisler
The Woodnest Mountaintops feature a tree running through their interior but it's enclosed by a storage unit
Albert Heisler
The Woodnest Mountaintops include a hand-crafted wooden bathtub/shower
Albert Heisler
The Woodnest Mountaintops feature a hand-crafted bathtub in the main living area, enclosed by glass
Albert Heisler
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Back in 2020, Helen & Hard impressed us with its Woodnest treehouse in rural Norway. The firm has now returned with a pair of similar dwellings that are raised high above the forest floor on pine trees. Each features a space-saving tiny-house-style interior layout that's centered around a flexible living area with an elevating bed that lowers down from the ceiling.

The Woodnest Mountaintops consists of two identical treehouses situated close to each other in a forest near the Hardangerfjord in Odda, Norway. Each consists of a glulam (glued-laminated timber) frame that's fastened to the trunk of a pine tree via a steel collar that allows the tree to continue to grow. The tree runs right through each cabin's interior and out the top. Their exteriors are finished in 18,000 individual timber shingles each and they are both raised 6 m (19.6 ft) above the ground.

The treehouse interiors are a complete departure from the previous Woodnest model. Accessed by bridge from the hillside, they measure 14 sq m (150 sq ft) each and have one floor. They are finished in natural wood and include a small kitchen with fridge, two-burner stove, sink, and some cabinetry.

Much of the floorspace in the treehouses is taken up by a living area that transforms into a bedroom using the elevating bed. This works like the Urban Payette and Elevate tiny houses, and uses an electric pulley system to gently lower the bed on tracks once a button is pressed. Another button-push raises it up again when it's no longer needed.

The elevating bed in the Woodnest Mountaintops turns the main living area into the bedroom
Albert Heisler

Elsewhere lies a WC with a toilet and sink, plus a hand-carved wooden bathtub that's only separated from the main living area by glass. Though the tree runs through the center of the treehouses, it's enclosed by a storage unit so there won't be any bark or sap inside. There are also some nice modern comforts like underfloor heating and Wi-Fi, so guests definitely aren't roughing it.

The Woodnest Mountaintops are reached from a nearby town and a hike up through the forest, which takes up to 45 minutes and requires snow shoes in the winter. Those interested can book a stay, starting at NOK 3,300 (roughly US$295) per night.

Source: Woodnest

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3 comments
Nobody
Knowing how shallow the root systems are on mountain trees, this doesn't look like a good idea. The stumps surrounding the tree indicate the immediate area was clear cut. A wind storm or a big rain could turn this into a very bad vacation.
fluke meter
surely this is supported separately from the tree? If not this seems insane. It seems like the one thing I have learned from reading about building in trees is you cant count on the tree for anything...
notarichman
I'm thinking that two half-pipes with room to grow bolted together going from roots to the house top and wrapped at the bottom with tree trunk plastic would be stronger.
the bottom of the half pipes would have supports that wouldn't affect roots. this idea also would stop animals/insects from attacking the tree.