Treehouses of the World

by Pete Nelson, Radek Kurzaj (Photographs)

A leading authority on treehouse design takes readers on an around-the-world journey of treehouses, discussing how they are designed, built, and enjoyed in numerous cultures, in a volume that showcases thirty-five treehouses and discusses their role in environmentalism. 20,000 first printing.

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

224 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2004

Reviews

[Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look into the architecture and science of how treehouses are built, along with great stories of some dream treehouses and how they came to be!

[Benjamin Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun an interesting book, and not just for those who dream of their very own treehouses. Wonderful photographs accompanied by informative backgrounds lend an air of wonder and imagination to the book. Locations from around the world are depicted, from Washington State to Japan, New Zealand, France, Hawaii, etc. The author includes some practical information, including the major breakthrough in treehouse design, the "GL", an immensely strong structural support device. Appendices include helpful tables on subjects such as what to look for when selecting tree(s), best-suited tree types, and trees to avoid due to short life spans, brittle branches, etc.

While I expected to see plenty of wonderful photos I was thankful to read of the stories and backgrounds of the treehouses and their builders as well. All together, this is a well-done book.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

yay treehouses!!! i wish there were more photos of the insides

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been into treehouses. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of scaling trees and finding a cozy way to hang out up there for a while, hidden and enjoying a great view. This book is mostly photographs of some of the most amazing treehouses in the world and it made me ridiculously happy just to look through it. There's some information about construction and a list of resources, which I completely ignored. Because LOOK AT ALL THE PRETTY TREEHOUSES!! A few of them are actually places you can stay, such as bed and breakfast treehouses and places you can rent for a weekend. Most are far away--in Japan and Hawaii--but truly...my bucket list just got longer. And I am going to have to start looking into US locations for weekend getaways. Awesome.

[Kim Reynolds-Jolles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I watched the show "Tree-house Masters" and became obsessed by the phenomenon that is Peter Nelson. He is a smart and funny guy that loves nature and tree-houses. This book has photos of tree-houses around the world, some by Peter, others not. All beautiful in the end.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beauty! Pete Nelson captures the love of nature and living in proximity as one with trees. There are many varieties of treehouses covered in this book, of different countries, climate, and trees. The introduction to the engineering technology in building a safe treehouse is explored. I'm heartened to see the trees protected in the process. The photos of treehouses are inspirational, as are the stories of projects Nelson and his team are involved in. Many of them involve clients in need. Others included famous clients like Sting and Donna Karan. This book is really inclusive and an inspiration. The explanation on the process of building a treehouse is clear and relatable. It is encouraging and helps wannabe builders to a large extent, with an index of tree types, materials needed and timeframe. They also cater to different needs from children to the community to vacationers. Now i just really want to hang out on top of a tree...

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book during the liquidation of my beloved Borders Bookstore. The book features not only amazing photographs of tree houses from around the world, but also background stories about them and instructions/helpful advice on building tree houses. This book adds to my daydreaming. I would love to live in a tree house or even if I didn't have a fancy one with plumbing running through the trunk of the tree or even electricity, at least I could have a peaceful tree house for sanctuary and escape (including reading a good book). Maybe someday I'll make this dream become a reality but I'll probably have to pay someone to build the tree house for me. Until then I'll keep daydreaming and this book will continue to fuel my imagination.

[CJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

There isn't much to read in this book, but the pictures are really fabulous. I love the idea of having a treehouse studio to work in - what fun to be isolated way up in a tree. Some of these houses are whimsical and some of them are actually great working spaces. It gives me something to dream about.

[Kimberley Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book....great photos and inspiration! I MUST have a treehouse at some point in life. This desire is woven into my being :)

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second ever bathroom book! This book has BEAUTIFUL pictures and quaint details about these spectacular structures.

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous book chock full of photos of amazing structures built high off the ground. There are both exterior and interior shots, as well as a brief section on what to be aware of if you're attempting to build your own house in the branches. A lovely book.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

After watching Treehouse Masters, I ordered this book and was thoroughly satisfied. Not only did Pete Nelson share amazing photos taken by Radek Kurzaj from around the world, he shared treehouse technology breakthrough and information about his workshop. The book is a stunning coffee table book.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book that demonstrates a variety of treehouses around the world, as well as specific treehouse-building techniques.

[Dakota Garland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hrm...thought there would be more treehouses...

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow

[Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you thought this would be a quick read sifting through only photographs of treehouses... not quite. Although there are plenty of pictures and they are glorious! It is a very tall hard-cover novel with 217 pages of awesomeness.

This book has lots of good information on how to construct a treehouse & what you need to know (such as the type of tree to select), the story of each unique genius designs of Nelson's work, historical structures adapted to climates, treehouses essential for living found in cultures in rainforests, and some he discovered other people built all over the world because it is truly his passion and he is gifted at what he does! I imagine they would be good scenes for a movie to be filmed or a book to be written about.

I was very pleased I found this at the library and that this was even a topic for literature when I searched for it. This book brought me a lot of joy! (:

I always dreamed of having a treehouse at my grandpa's 14 acre land when he was alive and I was a little girl. I dreamed of playing, reading, and retreating from the grown-ups. It is still my aspiration and when I have one as grande as the ones in this book, I hope Pete Nelson made it with me!

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing pictures, especially the one on the cover, which was pieced together by an amateur over 20 years. There is just enough text to explain, but not distract from, the wonderful photos.

Includes treehouses in the US, UK, Italy, Poland, France, Indonesia, and more. I was disappointed the ones in Turkey were left out, but they were mentioned in the appendix and actually, not as cool as the ones that were featured in the book.

There are tips on construction in the back. But I think I'd call in the pros (also listed).

[Melissa Lee-Tammeus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super fun coffee table book of various treehouses around the world. And yeah, these aren't your neighbors treehouses by any means. This is more an architectural dream guide to making the most awesome treehouse ever. Some are beautifully simplistic and some are over the top. The book has detailed descriptions of the wood used and how it was constructed. From Wales to Vermont to China to Indonesia, this is a great traipse through cultural ideals of what it means to escape into nature.

[LINDA · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt particularly inspired by the Bialski Treehouse which would work perfectly in our sudden steep slope that drops away at the back of our home. It is a stilt house, and I am glad that they close to include this wonderfully rustic house in the book even though it is not technically a tree house!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Afraid I did my brother-in-law a disservice by letting my little niece look through this book - she now wants quite a few of the treehouses in it. It's possible there's a list. I don't blame her - many of them are gorgeous. The majority were not built for kids or even with kids in mind. After this, any backyard project by her father and grandfather may come as a disappointment...

[Kiwi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed looking through these a few every day. Also loved learning about the different treehouse technology.

What I adored, though, was introducing my students to it and allowing them to make popsicle-stick treehouses based on structures in the book. They had a fantastic time and made an impressive village out of their creations. Always happy to have something that helps kids get creative!

[christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

when i retire i want to build a treehouse. some of these treehouses are a bit crazy and not to my taste. the pictures are pretty good though & its interesting to see different types but i am going to stick with a storybook style when i get mine.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apart from the whole "Treehouses!!!" element, I was amused by how many of the creators/designers/clients had ties to the Pacific NW. Goddamn hippies! (People who live in wood houses *can* throw stones)

[Abby Frye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete is a master craftsman and his creations add to the beauty of their surrounds. I love his excitements for what he does and that shined through in this book. So interesting to see his work in another form via the pictures and words of this book.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool! Great ideas and a very nice coffee table book.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good coffee table piece....something interesting to flip through and a conversation starter for sure!

[William Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful treehouses and the stories behind them. A coffee tabley book that I have the tendency of showing to everyone who comes over to my house.

[Lesley Looper · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book! I loved the photographs and descriptions of the treehouses throughout the world! Turns out that treehouses aren't just for kids anymore! Wow! :)

[Debrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

So tantalizing! Wonderful pictures of insides and outsides of cool treehouses, mostly in the States and England but a few others, most professionally made.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gah I want a treehouse so bad!