baumraum’s urban treehouses offer long-term living accommodation
photography by laura fiorio

 

 

 

conceived as an experimental research project, this treehouse in berlin has been designed to serve as an oasis of tranquility set within an urban context. completed by german design office baumraum, the scheme seeks to add to the city’s collection of small alternative constructions, while preserving the existing tree population of the 650 square meter site. located southwest of berlin’s city center, the district of zehlendorf is characterized by bourgeois residential buildings with larger properties with gardens bordering the forest.

baumraum urban treehouse berlin zehlendorf germany designboom
the scheme seeks to add to berlin’s collection of small alternative constructions

 

 

 

after studying various designs, two cubic units were created, each with 21 square meters of living space. both buildings hover on a four meter high base and are equipped with a covered exterior surface at the same height, as well as a lower terrace set at 2.6 meters. for one of the treehouses, the intermediate level and both flights of stairs are supported by flexible suspensions from the oak, while the building’s utilities and storage space is located in the base.

baumraum urban treehouse berlin zehlendorf germany designboom
the design preserves the amount of trees existing on the 650 square meter site

 

 

 

the load-bearing design, supports and frame above it consist of galvanized steel sections with solid prefabricated five-layer spruce panels are used in the walls, ceiling and floor. these solid wooden parts have a high insulating quality, are breathable, have a high heat storage capacity and can be installed quickly and easily. the rear-ventilated façade consists of aluminum composite panels. internally, the elevated pavilion includes comfortable living accommodation alongside sleeping and washroom facilities. the project has been dedicated to hans-joachim stegemann, (the grandfather of the project’s developer kolja), who passed away before construction began.

baumraum urban treehouse berlin zehlendorf germany designboom
a patio positioned between the elevation structures

baumraum urban treehouse berlin zehlendorf germany designboom
two cubic units each offer 21 square meters of living space

baumraum urban treehouse berlin zehlendorf germany designboom
internally, the treehouse includes comfortable living accommodation

baumraum urban treehouse berlin zehlendorf germany designboom
sleeping, washing and cooking facilities are all provided

baumraum urban treehouse berlin zehlendorf germany designboom
the load-bearing design, supports and frame above it all consist of galvanized steel sections

baumraum urban treehouse berlin zehlendorf germany designboom
solid prefabricated spruce panels are used in the walls, ceiling and floor

baumraum urban treehouse berlin zehlendorf germany designboom
the treehouse has been designed to serve as an oasis of tranquility

 

drawings

1/4
baumraum urban treehouse berlin zehlendorf germany designboom
 
baumraum urban treehouse berlin zehlendorf germany designboom
 
baumraum urban treehouse berlin zehlendorf germany designboom
 
baumraum urban treehouse berlin zehlendorf germany designboom
 

 

 

project info:

 

trees: an oak (load-bearing)
height: first level: 2.60 m; second level: 4.20 m
statics: the treehouse cabin is supported by four galvanized steel supports and frames, one of the two lower terrace constructions is suspended from the oak by a system of ropes and webbing loops
terrace construction: untreated larch
interior area: 21.0 sqm
terrace area: 14.4 sqm
façade construction: from inside to outside: 5 mm aluminum composite panel; 25 mm substructure/air space; 200 mm five-layer spruce panels