The Cliff House Is an Eco Treehouse Wrapped Around a Maple Tree
German design company Baumraum has mastered the art of building treehouses like no one else. They’ve crafted many stunning treetop shelters around the world, but this modern example is right in our backyard. Perched high in a maple tree overlooking the majestic Hudson River, the fabulous Cliff House was designed for a (very lucky) family. It features minimal interiors, a killer balcony/deck and some amazing views to make the clients feel a bit like birds.
The Cliff House is situated at the client’s vacation home two hours north of New York City. Using the client’s brief to be “very modern and refined,” the designers set out to construct a minimal wooden shelter with a deck just as large. The structure can be accessed from the rocky cliffside and through a super thin catwalk, and it rests on a V-shaped pillar secured from the cliff.
The wooden deck wraps itself around and is supported by a strong, century-old maple tree, and it’s almost the same size as the miniature living shelter. In this way, instead of tearing down trees to make room for new structures, the architects work with nature and not against it, taking full advantage of the existing natural structures while employing a light environmental touch.
Featuring panoramic views across the rolling hills and nearby Hudson River, the treehouse boasts a sleek silver shell and cozy wooden interiors. Inside there is room for sitting and sleeping or just staring at the lush surrounding environment through the skylight and all-around windows.
See more high-flying modern tree houses by Baumraum here.
Photos by Michael Döring
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