Stilt Studios Elevates the Treehouse with a Modern Tropical Design

Humble as its form and origins may be, the treehouse remains an inspiration for brilliant architects then and now. Among the latest projects that bear testament to this are the Treehouse Models by Stilt Studios, a Singapore and Bali-based firm that designs and builds pre-fabricated houses. They recently completed their first wooden prototype for the new Treehouse C in Bali after only four months of construction.

The 64 sqm Treehouse stands on scenic spot in Penestanan, a known artist village next to the town of Ubud. It’s also part of Bukit Sari, a small housing and hospitality community. The founding architects, Florian Holm and Alexis Dornier, couldn’t have picked a more fitting location. It’s only a 15-minute walking distance away from Ubud’s center, and a stone’s throw away from restaurants and bars. However, the property also sits on a quiet area with lush greenery. These features make it a prime property that provides a high living standard.

The new Treehouse C follows the same clever structural principle as that of their other Treehouse models. Its core element is comprised of four vertical columns held together by a staircase. In turn, firm steel cables that span from this core suspends the planes of both the floor and the ceiling. This, the architects noted, reduced the cross-sections and building parts for the entire building.

“Our guiding structural principle allows, next to impacting the building’s memorable hovering appearance, a plane field to create slender facades with thin window frames, and panels that do not need to carry anything else but their own load.”

However, this new version also features a different layout compared to the Treehouse C previously designed in October 2020. In place of an open layout and a corner terrace, it was divided into three parts. It has a living area, a kitchen, and a spacious bedroom with a lounging area. The architects also designed it to comfortably fit 2-4 people. The big glass windows will provide them a stunning view of the surrounding rice fields.

Finally, the dreamy residence also features a garden designed and cultivated by True Nature Nusantara. The Bali-based regenerative landscape design consultancy specializes in edible landscaping through permaculture design concepts. Flowers, edible fruits, herbs, and tropical ornamental plants serve as extra touches of greenery that add a more calming vibe to the entire space.

Photography by Arley Mardo