These Tree Houses in the Dolomites Look Like Egg-Shaped Pinecones
In the woods of Malborghetto Valbruna in the Italian Dolomite commune of Tarvisio is a pair of egg-shaped tree houses that appear to hover in midair, like fruit of the forests.
Named Pigna tree houses, the structures were created by Tarvisio-based architect Claudio Beltrame in collaboration with DomusGaia, an Italian firm that manufactures wooden prefabricated homes.
Located in the woods of Malborghetto Valbruna in the Italian Dolomite commune of Tarvisio, this egg-shaped tree house appears to hover in midair like a giant pinecone.
Courtesy of DomusGaia
The tree houses were first developed for an architectural competition in 2014, but later became part of a Tarvisio mountain farmhouse retreat called Malga Priu and are now available for holiday rentals through sustainable vacation rental agency Ecobnb.
In the woods of Malborghetto Valbruna in the Italian Dolomite commune of Tarvisio is a pair of egg-shaped tree houses.
Courtesy of DomusGaia
Stay up to Date on the Latest in Tiny Homes
Discover small spaces filled with big ideas—from clever storage solutions to shape-shifting rooms.
Courtesy of DomusGaia
Inspired by the shape of pinecones, the tree houses' frames are made with cross-laminated Xlam timber with wooden fiber insulation. Larch wood shingles are used to create a cladding around the egg-shaped exteriors, creating a pine-like texture.
Courtesy of DomusGaia
Approximately 28 feet tall, each compact, 377-square-foot tree house is raised about 33 feet off the ground.
Courtesy of DomusGaia
The living areas are spread across three levels and connected by wooden stairs. Curved windows with 360-degree views and sliding doors on the first level, along with two sheltered balconies on the second level, frame spectacular Alpine views.
Like fruit in the trees, the pods appear to hover in midair.
Courtesy of DomusGaia
Each structure is anchored to the trees that surround it, and both levels of each house can be accessed via a walkway or outdoor stairs. The first level also includes a panoramic sheltered terrace.
Courtesy of DomusGaia
The living room, kitchen, bathroom, and balconies are located on the second level.
Courtesy of DomusGaia
The third level includes a domed bedroom with a skylight right above the double bed at the top of the structure.
The living areas are spread across three levels and connected by wooden stairs.
Courtesy of DomusGaia
"The project started from the desire to create a structure that's not only a refuge, but also a natural element of its environment—a mimesis of its surroundings," says Pigna's architect Beltrame.
Courtesy of DomusGaia
Courtesy of DomusGaia
Project Credits:
- Architecture: Architetto Beltrame Claudio
- Builder: DomusGaia
- Structural engineer: Loris Borean
- Collaborators: Luca Beltrame, Gabriele Pascutti
Published
Last Updated