Tree Houses. Fairy Tale Castles in the Air

by Philip Jodidio (Editor)

The idea of climbing a tree for shelter, or just to see the earth from another perspective, is surely as old as humanity. Tree houses are chronicled in ancient civilizations and their lore crosses through the history of every part of the world where trees grow. This stunningly illustrated study offers a tour of the best tree houses in the world, some designed by architects, others the work of unknown craftsmen. A teahouse, a restaurant, a hotel, a playhouse for children, or a perch from which to contemplate life―the tree house can take as many forms as the imagination can offer. In times of concern for sustainability and ecological responsibility, the tree house may also be the ultimate symbol of life in symbiosis with nature. Whether rustic or contemporary in style, tree houses make the most of space. Climb into this trove of tree houses and enjoy a new perspective on the world. 50 tree houses from around the world Covers all different styles, from romantic to modern Every house is depicted in several photos as well as one illustration by artist Patrick Hruby from Los Angeles (who also created the book’s cover artwork) Helpful short biographies of all architects

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction, Art, Design, Photography, Nature, Coffee Table Books

351 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2012

Reviews

[Annelies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taschen delivers again a beautiful illustrated book. It's a a book about 50 treehouses in large, marvellous photos with little text about the house. The houses look to come from fairytales, some from sf-stories. You can let your imagination free, and dream away by them.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a large, well-photographed, appealing compendium of about 50 (mostly) luxurious and exclusive arboreal marvels located around the world, highlighting the structures of established treehouse architects along with a smattering of amateur—though not amateurish—endeavors. Some are available for lodging or dining (!), some are on private property (so you'll have to make friends with people like Val Kilmer or The Doors' guitarist Robby Krieger to actually climb inside), and some are conceptual. My initial interest in this book was with the illustrator Patrick Hruby, whom I recently discovered and whose work here perfectly matches the childlike and enchanting aesthetic I associate with treehouses. But most of these "castles in the air" are unquestionably for adults with adult expectations, and many of them, while fascinating to consider the structural logistics (Sweden's "Mirrorcube Tree Hotel" for example, which looks like a glass cube floating among the trees, the effect of which at dusk practically causes it to vanish), finally did not connect with me because of this. Including some less extravagant examples would’ve provided some balance, in my opinion.

I read it in one sitting on a cold winter day, which heightened the escape factor but somewhat made repetitive the wow factor—I found myself turning pages quickly here and there despite how magnificent some of these structures must be in person (though unless I become a wealthy world traveler, I’ll probably never know). While this book may provide some inspiration for DIYers, it may also discourage efforts as nothing most people are likely to envision for their backyard will come close to anything in this book—some of these cost tens of thousands of dollars. The photographs are beautiful to look at, though, and the fact that there is a market for upscale treehouses and firms dedicated to building them and exploring their possibilities is interesting in and of itself. The book should appeal to those with even a passing interest, though I'd suggest enjoying it in small doses as you might (might) a $12 cocktail or a James Brown box set, lest the cumulative effect leave you numb to what excited you about it in the first place. Recommended.

[Vonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not sure if I want to associate with you if you do not at least like tree houses. Next time I win the lottery, I am building one of these in my backyard. The full page pictures, even double page, are stunning, gorgeous, and entirely worth the high cost of this book. It is also a huge book, pretty much the only book in my 2000 book collection that will not fit on any of my shelves. This review is so short, because there really is nothing else I can say. One of the best examples of a picture being worth a thousand words.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, Tree Houses: Fairy Tale Castles in the Air, published in Germany and written in three languages: English, German and French, shows treehouses all over the world. Some for fun; some as hotels, and even a restaurant. It is an amazing book. One designer stood out to me - Pete Nelson. I like his designs, but whoever designed all the others and there are quite a few designers, each design appealed to whomever contracted to have the treehouse built. It is quite fascinating to realize that treehouses are a universal concept. Very impressive.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Day dreaming!

[Ο σιδεράς · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pocket-sized αρχιτεκτονική, τροφή για αιωρούμενες φαντασιώσεις σχετικές με το κατοικείν.. Ας χτίζονται μεταμοντέρνοι Παρθενώνες παντού γύρω μας, εγώ θέλω να επιστρέψω στα δέντρα.. 

I. Μετατουρλουμπουκι:

15 Postmodern Architecture Examples  https://www.architecturaldigest.com/s...


II. Η λέξη είναι δάσος:

Τreehouses by takashi kobayashi, japan: https://www.designboom.com/architectu...

Claras Baumhaus:

https://www.german-architects.com/de/...

The Chalkley Treehouse: https://treehousemap.com/listing/tree...

 Treehouse djuren https://www.designboom.com/architectu...

[Kremena Koleva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tree Houses не е книга, която човек може да седне и да прочете за ден - два. Това е малка галерия, в която всеки любител на природата може да се наслаждава на въображението на майсторите на къщички на дърветата, да пусне на свобода собствената си фантазия и да мечтае за възможност да прекара отпуската си не в хотел, а в сърцето на гората. Ако някои от нас са имали щастието като деца да разполагат с малка дървена хижа на някое дърво в градината си , да канят приятели и да се впускат в " приключения" от там, то като възрастни разбираме, че тези приказни къщички могат да се развият в разкошни места за релакс и бягство от градския хаос. Според условията, фантазията , нуждата, средствата и финансите къщичките на дърветата могат да пренесат луксозните удобства на един дом или простотата на място за отмора на няколко метра над земята. И да възприемаме обстановката около нас от птичи поглед . А в този том на издателство Tashen се показват вълнуващи образци, пръснати по целия свят.

[Kayla Zabcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

80%

Really cool concept, showing off tree houses from all over the globe. I wish there were more pictures of some of the trees houses, though perhaps photography of their interiors is restricted for one reason or another. I also wish there was more written about each tree house - the inspiration, obstacles encountered, etc. - however since it is written in 3 languages, this book would've ended up being quite enormous so I understand why the written content is a bit lacking.

I did enjoy that, for the most part, the translations were all on the same page, so you could read them side by side - fantastic for practicing language skills!

[Joe Eynon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief look into the world of treehouses and their designers. More of a photo journal than a guidebook it showcases the best tree-dwelling homes in the world. The photography is wonderful but it’s left me wanting to know more about each project. Definitely a great starting place but leaves you thirsty for more information.

[Karl Dietrich · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little book about tree houses. Not sure why they picked some of the ones they did but a couple were pretty weak "tree houses".

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very thick book, but it's just the same book printed in triplicate languages, English, German & French. It's interesting to thumb through. Most of the tree houses are more modern space pods, geodome, UFO, Steampunk monstrosities not fairy tale castles in the sky. Others are over-styled or designed and so ugly and uncomfortable but some really look magical, just like a grown-up version of that childhood wish come true. Sarah's Tree House on pgs. 434-441 is adorable.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the illustrations more than I did the actual photographs. They were really whimsical, where as I felt like the photographs were a little cold and left something to be desired. Maybe I just like the idea of tree houses more than the real things.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many of these treehouses are weird and overindulgent, but a few are simple and blend beautifully into their surroundings. My favorite is the Mirrorcube Tree Hotel in Sweden. Views from all spectacular.

[Andrew Borloz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish that more photographs are shown for most of the treehouses to show more details. The type font is pretty small and sometimes hard to read. I don't like the fact that the publisher put in several pages of advertisements at the end for other books.

[Sabrina Laxmanalal]

I am late for work because of this book! Just stumbled across it in in a bookshop and its wonderful... reminds me of all those childhood fantasies about having a treehouse. Maybe its not too late!

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that this book is in three different languages. The tree houses are really cool to look at.

[Jen Well-Steered · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of treehouse I can get behind - furnished, with running water and wifi, frequently also with hot tubs and kitchenettes.

[Awjtf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a beautiful book with great pictures and text about each treehouse. I wish the book wasn't so big and heavy. It was hard to wield when reading it

[Evelyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing treehouses, extraordinarily designs, true fairy tale castles in the air 😍

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first saw this book in a used book store, and though it seemed interesting, I didn't quite find it intriguing enough to purchase, especially once I found my library system had a copy. Unfortunately it turned out the library's copy was this edition, about normal book sized, though very thick and heavy, and not the larger, coffee-table book I first encountered. Same content, I am sure, but it felt a bit cramped and not as easy to enjoy the pictures.

On the plus side, many of the places included in this book are hotels, so this would be a great source of ideas for trips (if or when travel ever becomes feasible for me, and if or when I ever have someone to enjoy traveling with). That said, I doubt I would ever have a chance to visit even a fraction of the tree houses in this book, so my favorite photo sets are those that really give a good view of the inside of the structure, and so provide a vicarious feel for actually visiting. Unfortunately, I think that is a slight minority of the sets; too often the attention is on the exteriors, or showing off the view from the interior of the outside. Still, it was enjoyable to see all of the different places and have at least a bit of a chance to wonder through them in my imagination.

One small thing that annoyed me: the introductory essay for some reason translates the Latin phrase "Et in Arcadia ego" as "I also was an Arcadian" instead of something more like "I also was in Arcadia". I took only one art history class in college and encountered it there, and I suspect it is a widely known concept in the field; even more bafflingly, the German and French texts appear to provide the correct translation (a bit hard to say as I don't know either language well, but that is what translation software is for).

[James Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent coffee table book bound to spark the interest of any nature lover, architect fiend, or person simply trying to return to their childhood roots of fun and imaginative treehouses.

The image quality for 99% of the pictures was a decent resolution. However, possibly too much emphasis was put on the exteriors and little on the interiors. Most images are of the exteriors to showcase the artistic design, materials, and innovative ideas.

These are my top nine favorite treehouses from the book:

9. Bird's nest tree house - for its clever integration into the forest
8. Driftwood inn - for its cozy interior mountain cabin vibes
7. Lake house - for its interior beauty and ability to survive a zombie apocolypse
6. Langeais castle tree house - for creating the tree house that every child wishes they had when they were young
5. Meditation tree house - for making the perfect yoga studio tree house
4. Mirrircube tree hotel - for the brilliant exterior
3. Sarah's tree house - for creating a tree house that is a miniature house
2. Teahouse tetsu - for being in the middle of a bunch of cherry blossom trees and the calming interior
1. Yellow tree house restaurant - for the exterior design

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My librarian gave me this book to read because she knew of my interest in small shelters.

While this is a beautiful production - oversize with glossy pictures and descriptions in three languages (English, French & German) - it really wasn't treehouses, per se.

Yes, these structures were all more or less in trees but many of them had been built as speciality resorts. (You know - the kind you boast to your friends about staying in for a night.) In fairness, there is global representation, but none is meant as a house - at the most, a room for one night.

All in all, disappointing for the effort of lugging it home.

[Marco Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book full of nice imagery and case studies of houses in trees, covering that whimsical childhood idea that has made it into an adult realisation, be it for one's own stay or for offering experiential accommodation to others. Many projects from around the world are showcased.

Inspirational and as regenerative as the natural environment around these dwellings. This makes more for a page turner rather than deeply detailed investigation, but nonetheless a creative journey through places filled with ambition and memories. Tree houses: Why not?

[Joan Leung · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gratuitous purchase, but Taschen were having a half-price sale, what more can I say? This beautiful book explores the fantastical world of modern tree houses, some designed by architects, others the work of unknown craftsmen. It covers tree houses in all of their various guises, from teahouses to restaurants, hotels, playhouses for children, or simply perches from which to contemplate life. Very impressive, best tree houses reading tour in the world!

[Cassy Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got me dreaming like 🤔

[KE Jeglum · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's a picture book that would benefit from better photography. Three Languages? Really?? I'm not a fan of published work that would have served a better role by remaining a tree.

[Liselotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is so cool! Some people have some really interesting ideas and have too much time and money on their hands, but hey, at least they do something creative with it, haha.

[Kate Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A somewhat broad definition of tree houses - many are like motor homes on stilts, or simply elevated houses. But, beautiful photos, clean spreads, and multilingual descriptions.

[Jack Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful coffee table book to peruse through for company