Tau-Nuss

Year2013
PhotoMirja Busse
LocationFrankfurt, Germany

Narrow streets lead into the peaceful residential district of Königstein on the outskirts of the metropolis of Frankfurt. The streets wind high up into the foothills of the Taunus mountain range. There are many vantage points with splendid views over the densely populated Rhine valley. One of the special qualities of this suburban location is the generous gardens with a large stock of mature trees.
The owners of this treehouse considered themselves lucky to have such majestic trees in their front garden. The idea took root in the family to create a small refuge for the whole family and an additional guest room in the form of a treehouse.

The two trees, a pine and a chestnut, stood directly in front of the house. This particular spatial constellation allowed an unusual construction. The treehouse was to be connected to the main house by a bridge. Additionally, there should be a direct descent into the garden. One of the children’s rooms was ideally positioned to access the treehouse via a bridge. The existing railing just had to be opened up and connected to the railing of the treehouse bridge.

Visitors to the treehouse only have to have to take a few steps across the bridge to reach the terrace of the small but beautiful treehouse. From the terrace the visitor can go through a hatch and down the ladder into the garden. Apart from the anchoring points for the stairs on the main house the entire treehouse is suspended by ropes and webbing in the two trees. In spite of the fixed connection to the main house, the construction chosen still allows the pine and the chestnut to sway unhindered.

The rounded treehouse cabin with its interior fittings of ash wood gives the visitor a feeling of intimacy and security. The windows on all sides as well as the domed skylight provide excellent views into the treetops and on a clear day right into the Rhine valley – in the distance it is even possible to see the planes taking off and landing at Frankfurt Airport.


Trees: One pine and one chestnut
Height: 5.20m
Bearing structure: The weight of the terraces and the horizontal load of the treehouse are distributed across the two oaks by means of steel cables and webbing
Terrace construction: Larch joists, tatajuba planks
Interior area: 7.6  m2
Terrace area: 9.0 m2
Façade construction: From inside to outside: 20 mm ash boarding, tongue and groove, white glazed; round framework of glazed sheet steel; flanking wooden arch of glued wood; 60 mm mineral insulation; 20 mm spruce boarding; roofing felt; 20 mm air space; rounded larch battens
Roof: Sheet zinc

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