Few dwellings capture the imagination like tree houses—and when they're designed by talented architects, the effect is positively enchanting. These 20 tree houses pack in fantastical features ranging from bicycle-powered elevators to metal slides and built-in hammocks perfect for stargazing.

World of Living by Baumraum

Founded in 2003 by Andreas Wenning, the German design firm Baumraum has built over 50 perched spaces across the world, continuously offering clients of all ages an intimate and adventurous way to connect with nature. Each tree house built by the firm is entirely custom-designed, taking the site plan into account, as well as the wellbeing of the trees. To reduce impact at the site, the team prefabricates many of the houses, arranging them so that the surrounding trees’ roots aren’t harmed.

Austin Treehouse by Ryan Street Architects

To create a tree house on their property, one Austin family looked to their daughter’s artwork for design inspiration. The project started out as a backyard playhouse for the couple’s two daughters—but then it took off and went above and beyond everyone’s wildest dreams.

Brisbane Treehouse by Phorm Architecture + Design

When Phorm Architecture + Design was asked to design a backyard extension for a young Australian couple, they were stepping into uncharted territory. Designed to be a “weekender in the backyard,” the 452-square-foot tree house takes a grown-up approach to the classic children’s club house.

Upper Tree House by Jay Nelson

This tree house, designed by Jay Nelson, is not like any tree house you grew up with. Weaving through a stand of redwoods, it carries all the inimitable charms of the San Francisco artist’s imaginative, woodsy, and weatherworn aesthetic. (His previous work includes a camper built on the back of a Subaru Brat and a small rough-hewn home on Kauai.) Made mostly of reclaimed wood, it looks like a ship lost in an ocean of trees.

Playa Viva by ArtisTree

When it comes to designing tree houses, Texas-based ArtisTree looks to local, natural materials for both design inspiration and construction materials. Their unique tree houses, which are thoughtfully sited for breathtaking views of the landscape, combine sustainable features with hospitality design. They create escapes that are small in size, but boast a powerful connection to the local environment.

Flying Pigsty by Amir Sanei

Those looking for a more down-to-earth option might consider wallowing in a pigsty, which is essentially what designer Amir Sanei constructed for his two sons. The cofounder of London-based Sanei Hopkins Architects, Sanei based the design on a “pig ark,” a simple metal dome used to house pigs, which are abundant on farms surrounding his house in Suffolk.

4TREEHOUSE by Lukasz Kos

The 4TREEHOUSE is a two-ton, 410-square-foot tree house suspended 20 feet off the ground from steel airline cables anchored to four tree trunks. Toronto-based architect Lukasz Kos says, “This was really a parameter-driven project. That is, I had to let the trees decide how the house would be.”

Pinecone by O2 Tree House

Oakland-based O2 Tree House uses steel, wood, and glass to create tiny pincecone-shaped homes that look like ornaments hanging from from the treetops. Best of all, they’re available for purchase, so you can create your own forest getaway.

Woodnest Treehouses by Helen & Hard Architects

Helen & Hard Architects say the tree house design is “inspired by the Norwegian cultural traditions of vernacular timber architecture and a desire to experiment with the material potential of wood.” The structure utilizes a central steel collar that wraps around the tree, and a series of glue-laminated timber ribs extend outward in a radial design.

Pigna Tree House by Claudio Beltrame

This egg-shaped wonder is located in Malga Priu, a mountain farmhouse retreat in Tarvisio, Italy. Claudio Beltrame and DomusGaia designed the tree house with three levels and a smooth, round facade that’s inspired by pine cones.

Free Spirit Spheres by Tom Chudleigh

Free Spirit Spheres are the ultimate wanderlust retreats. The spherical dwellings are suspended in midair, however they offer all the comforts of home—including electricity, appliances, and plumbing.

Bicycle Elevator Tree House by Ethan Schussler

Idaho native Ethan Schussler has been obsessed with tree houses since he was young. Although Schussler lives off the grid and pays little attention to pop culture, his tree house went viral when he uploaded a short clip of himself riding his “bicycle elevator” into the sky. The video has since reached 2.1 million views, and it has been picked up by major news outlets such as CNN and Fox News.

Qiyunshan Tree House by Bengo Studio

Nestled in the forest next to Qiyun Mountain in China, Bengo Studio’s tree house hotel features staggering cantilevered rooms. Guests can mimic the experience of climbing through the surrounding cedar trees by exploring different vantage points across each of the stacked rooms. The hotel stands 118 feet tall, so it doesn’t exceed the height of the surrounding trees.

The Woodman’s Tree House by Guy Mallinson and Keith Brownlie

If you’ve ever wanted to live like Tarzan, then this whimsical tree house in Dorset is for you. Designed by Guy Mallinson and Keith Brownlie, the tree house is thoughtfully planned with playful details from top to bottom. Atop the retreat you’ll find a hot tub, and down past the spiral staircase you’ll find a metal slide that takes you down to the ground level.

Tree House by Atelier Victoria Migliore

This tree house in France by Atelier Victoria Migliore wraps itself around the surrounding pines. The charcoal exterior makes a strong statement, while playful features such as suspended nets and swings add a touch of whimsy.

Sustainability Tree House by Mithun

Designed for the Boy Scouts of America, the Sustainability Tree House atop Mount Hope in West Virginia informs visitors about conservation and the environment. Even the staircases feature factoids to read while climbing the next level.

Treehotel by Snøhetta

This Swedish getaway by Snøhetta offers towering views and a pine-printed base that conceals its appearance when viewed from below. A double-layered mesh net surrounded by glass walls provides the perfect spot for stargazing.

Yoki House by Will Beilharz

This Texas tree house was inspired by the ravine that lies below. The Yoki House is named after the Hopi word for rain, and it incorporates a soaking tub with views of a babbling creek. “Water is life—one of our most precious resources, and ArtisTree tree houses are designed to let people experience nature’s resources more intimately,” says designer Will Beilharz.

Quebrada House by UNarquitectura

Chilean firm UNarquitectura designed the Quebrada House to stand on stilts, thus preserving the surrounding ecosystem. The home’s open living areas feature expansive windows that frame views of the surrounding foliage.

Inhabit Tree House by Antony Gibbons Designs

Sitting in the middle of a lush 14-acre property, the Inhabit Tree House offers the perfect weekend escape. The cabin’s angular form is meant to “contrast against the organic forms of the forest,” says designer Antony Gibbon. The Inhabit Tree House is available to rent through AirBnB.

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Also Appears In

The Woodman’s Treehouse