At Wildernest, we design and build treehouses, sculptures, play structures, and nests that enhance our relationship with the natural world. Driven by a commitment to innovation, growth, and integrity, we design spaces that blend artistic expression with functional and sustainable solutions. We favor biomimicry in our designs, and prioritize using natural, & recycled materials.
The environments we build encourage play, creativity, active participation as well as relaxation. Our design process is collaborative, aiming to awaken the young-at-heart in all of us. We are dedicated to crafting unique, meaningful spaces that celebrate the beauty of the natural world and support lasting connections within the community.
Isa Avellan is a designer, visual artist, and the founder of Wildernest Design. Rooted in a background in film and sustainable architecture, Isa’s practice examines how built environments influence community and the natural world. Driven by the philosophy of ecological harmony, they design immersive spaces that encourage presence, shared connection, and play.
Isa’s diverse technical expertise spans structural bamboo fabrication, permaculture design, and bio-construction. Their early foundation includes building off-grid housing with Earthship, advanced bamboo construction training in Bali, and a permaculture certification at the KulKul Farm. This deep understanding of regenerative ecosystem patterns heavily inspires Isa’s architectural concepts, including specialized treehouse and natural structure designs.
Equally versed in high-end fabrication and large-scale experiential spaces, Isa has collaborated with master woodworking designer Alexis Moran and the San Francisco creative agency One Hat One Hand. Their portfolio also includes contributing to monumental Burning Man art installations alongside renowned sculptors Walker Babington and Dust and Beau.
The concept for Wildernest Design was born during Isa's tenure caretaking a remote hot springs in Washington’s Cascade Mountains for the Northwest Wilderness Preserve—a formative experience that continues to guide the firm’s commitment to merging raw wilderness with sophisticated, sustainable architecture.
Benjamin Turner
Designer and creative builder with an interest in interactive habitats and climbing structures inspired by nature. He draws from his experience as a dancer to understand ways that a physical space can encourage play, movement, and spatial exploration - as well as imaginative play - for both children and adults. Sometimes in a wilderness scenario: less is more, letting the natural environment speak for itself.
Benjamin is familiar with a wide range of building techniques and materials, including: rustic woodworking, finish carpentry, metal fabrication, acrylics, laser-cutting and CNC machining, and finishing. Over 10 years working as a designer and project manager at One Hat One Hand in San Francisco has given him far-reaching experience managing custom architectural installations for clients like Google, Facebook, Apple, Yahoo, SFO International Airport, Lucasfilms, NBC, Youtube, Twitter, OutsideLands, Treasure Island Music Festival, and many others
He has a B.A. in Playground Design for Adults from Hampshire College, which has since been applied through various sculptural and interactive art installations along the west coast.
Ale De Denghy
Born and raised in the vibrant city of Caracas, Alejandro grew up climbing mango trees, where his love for nature and heights first blossomed. From a young age, Alejandro has been passionate about building spaces that harmonize with their surroundings; and if those spaces happen to be perched high up in the trees, even better.
With nearly six years of hands-on experience constructing treehouses, Alejandro has collaborated with some of the leading companies in the industry, learning the art and science of building among the branches. Three years ago, he joined the Wildernest Design team, where he now channels his expertise into creating immersive, sustainable treehouse experiences that connect people with nature.
Currently, Alejandro is also pursuing studies at the Bamboo University in Bali, Indonesia, expanding his knowledge of natural materials and innovative design. Whether suspended from the trees rigging new structures or daydreaming about the next wild idea, Alejandro is always inspired by nature’s beauty—and determined to build spaces that bring people closer to it.
