These Genre-Busting Tree Houses From Germany Start at $6K

German firm Baumraum has built over 50 prefabricated tree houses around the world, with designs available from $6,000.

Text by

When it comes to innovative tree house design, Baumraum knows no limits. Founded in 2003 by Andreas Wenning, the German design firm has built over 50 perched spaces across the world, continuously offering clients of all ages an intimate and adventurous way to connect with nature.

Located near Berlin, Germany, Copper Cube is a tree house with an integrated bathroom, minibar, and large bed.

"A tree house can, according to your wishes and possibilities, be planned and realized by us in different sizes, designs, and equipment," explains Wenning. "Most of our tree houses are small units, comparable to the size of a small motorhome."

Surrounded by tall bamboo, the Frog Prince tree house floats above a shallow pond in a private garden in Münster, Germany.

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 wouldn’t be harmed.

"Our main focus in planning and construction is the careful handling of the trees and the surrounding natural space," notes Wenning. "With our innovative constructions and materials used, we take utmost account of nature and the environment."

"The interior and exterior surfaces can be left untreated or oiled, waxed, varnished, or painted," says Wenning. "There is a wide range of ecologically harmless products available. The interiors can also consist of natural insulation materials such as wood fiber boards, sheep wool mats, or coconut fibers."

"When fixing the tree houses, we do so without screws and bolts and instead use guyed rope constructions," explains Wenning. "Thanks to steel cables, the tree house construction can be erected quickly and adjusted well."

A peek at the reflective tree house known as Black Beauty.

While the design firm does not have a price list in the usual sense, as all tree houses are individually planned and adapted to local conditions, the prices of the houses constructed so far range between €18,000 to €150,000 (approximately $20,000 to $167,000), which includes planning, materials, installation, and interior work. However, smaller, non-insulated constructions can be built starting from €5,000 (approximately $6,000).

"The realization period for a tree-room project is usually between three and seven months, depending on the location of the property and our capacity utilization," Wenning explains.

Below, we've rounded up several of our favorite designs by Baumraum. Ranging in size, style, and purpose, these incredible perched spaces are guaranteed to ignite your imagination.