TreePi

Departing from the traditional O2 Treehouse geodesic frame, this custom structure was designed to be a tee-pee like playhouse for two young children. The TreePi is built around a single trunk Canadian Pine utilizing a cable support system and features a cathedral like interior space that runs 25 feet from top to bottom and encompasses several vine wrapped branches. Its components include ten wedge-shaped steel frames, a tapered bowl-shaped Douglas fir base, trap door entry, and canopy constructed from a recycled sailboat sail. A steel tension ring at the top brings together diagonally running cables from the edges of the base structure and vertically running cables that run parallel to the tree trunk and rig the center of the base structure. This ring spreads the load of the structure through its body as well as distributing its weight evenly through the tree’s limbs. Boasting a terrific view of the western Los Angeles skyline, the structures six windows flood the playhouse with natural light.