Listen - Design - Build
Sustainable design & Biomimicry
Imagine
Sky cabin. Canopy classroom. Fairy-tale playhouse, Bathhouse in the trees. It all begins with an idea: share your story with us and together we will develop a Nest that fits your needs and your space.
Some projects begin as a dream in a child’s notebook. Others are inspired by the natural history of your location. Wildernest works with you to realize your vision, in your space. Nests can encompass a wide spectrum of possibilities: Environmental art. Glamping treesort. Obstacle course. Meditation deck. Aerial park.
Contact us and schedule a site visit: wildernestdesign@gmail.com
Custom Design
Our collaboration often begins with a design phase where we present models and design styles in a mood board presentation. After an initial site visit, we produce site specific 3D models of the space through photogrammetry and field measurements. Our designers imagine, sketch, model, and render our projects in Rhino, Grasshopper, CAD and SketchUp. Combined with any client-provided specifications, we are able to develop treehouse renderings for review. These spatial renderings allow us to play with scale, concept and material options in an collaborative process before we begin to build. At the end of a design phase, we can also more accurately cost the project.
One of the most important aspects of treehouse design is choosing the right hardware to safely support load-bearing structures in living trees. Based on structural and aesthetic considerations, we flesh out the materials palette and finishing plan, which can vary from reclaimed barn-wood cladding to custom steel armature and powder-coating. Material longevity in the elements is combined with environmental considerations and material costs. Based on client goals, we work out a final stylistic approach and create site-specific drawings including the footprint, floor plan, and elevations. There is a final sign-off on the model as we begin fabrication.
Fabrication
Our fabrication techniques can range from rustic carpentry and joinery with wildcrafted timber to creating unique laser-cut parts. An all-wood construction weathers well outdoors and tells the story of the classic treehouse. A more modern nest might include CNC-cut plywood parts with custom contours to create a more evocative profile, or incorporate stainless steel cable railings as a safety feature. We weave nets in-house or can outsource larger canopy nets to achieve in specific colors. We also love to work with reclaimed elements like playground equipment, windows, and doors when possible.
Many treehouses benefit from a natural weathering over time, but our network of finishing specialists are able to achieve exterior looks including staining and color-matched painting, murals, decorative wood, glass, and metalwork.
Wildernest combines these diverse fabrication elements into a finished cohesive offering meant to come to life in the environment it was designed for.
Install
We take pride in the creative talents of our team of skilled fabricators, project managers, metal workers, climbers, riggers, arborist, artists and environmentalists. While we pre-fabricate many elements of each piece in our shop, our capabilities also include onsite construction, tree-management, rigging, and install. Working onsite can often lead to ideas an innovations that aren’t apparent in the virtual model; and there are many logistical considerations involved in getting nest parts onto location and then rigged safely into place.