Tree house

A tree house is a house of wood or other lightweight materials such as aluminum or rigid foam, which is the only foundation has one or more trees.

Use

Even today, tree houses of indigenous peoples of South America, Africa, Asia and in West Papua (New Guinea ) are ( in the latter example, by the Korowai ) in order to avoid the dangers and tribulations on the ground. Modern Tree houses are usually integrated into existing hotel facilities. In Europe, tree houses are usually built as a play opportunities for children and more recently as offices.

Construction

The construction method differs significantly from that of other buildings and requires a deeper understanding of the materials. Treehouse Architecture is roughly comparable with the marine / shipbuilding.

In modern tree house construction four different mounting techniques are used: the screw, clamping, hanging and / or supporting technology. For the Screw preferably developed in the United States, uses so-called Garnier screws, heavy bolt with three centimeters in diameter and threads that are driven into the tree and can carry a weight of up to five tons. The advantage of the Garnier screws is partly in the fact that they act like an artificial limb and the tree is not constrained, and, secondly, that only a few such connections between the tree house and tree are necessary due to the high stability, which the tree stressed out less than spiking with many small screws or even nails. The adjustable clamp technology steel cuffs are stretched around the trunk, where then joist hangers are attached. In order not constrict the tree, this technique requires a regular follow-up and possibly loosening the cuff. The suspension technology the tree house is suspended either as a whole or individual bearing components by means of steel ropes and special textile loops in the tree. The support equipment used to support beams supporting parts from below. The techniques mentioned can be used individually or in combination depending on the needs of the individual project. A clever combination can make use of the relative merits of the different joining techniques exploit.

For inspection and maintenance, the tree house from all sides must be accessible. Worldwide there are about 20 companies that offer explicit construction of tree houses.

Statics

Particular attention is paid to the anchor in the tree and the flexible properties of the other constructive connections. The static tree house must be calculated for specific models. The visual and subjective safety plays a role here, for example; however, can not be expected safety factors as the basis for the calculations ( weather data / tree data) are mostly lacking.

Special feature of give -like structures, which are mounted between several trees: If the anchorage is divided into various systems, such as one of the systems can be provided with counterweights. Thus, the tension in the rope is exactly predictable and always remains constant. Such auxiliary weights, it is also possible the rest of the dead weight of the treehouse with muscle strength, such as a lift to move. These chain hoists can be used.

Tree houses for children

Tree houses are popular with children and young people for generations as a retreat and playful center of life. You are timbered with boards and nails themselves. By " intuitive static " arise partly daring designs. Access is usually via rope ladders are pulled up to protect against other child gangs.

With appropriate experience arising from temporary huts sometimes quite sophisticated tree houses with thick roof, glazed windows, extensive interior and some with fire and burners, heating systems and insulation.

Remarkable tree houses

The currently (2007) used as a tourist highest tree house in the world is in Kerala in India. This is a hotel called the Green Magic Tree House, which is 26 meters high and is accessible by a lift. Noteworthy is the architecturally advantageous dome construction.

The first German tree house hotel located on the culture Einsiedel at Görlitz. It was built in 2007 and consists of five tree apartments, which are interconnected via bridges and suspension bridges. Another tree -house hotel was built in April 2008, in Lower Saxony Schoenhagen ( Uslar ). The ' Treehouse Solling ' consists of four separate buildings, each with 4 beds. More Treehouse hotels followed, and now there is in Germany a good handful of such unusual accommodation. Far more treehouse hotels are located but in France.

The Oak of Allouville (France) hosts a tree house designed as a chapel.

In the Swiss community Hildisrieden is the largest tree house in the world, which is carried by a single tree.

Terms of Use

At least a certain size requires a tree house, a building permit. Litigation is currently on an approximately 6 -tonne tree house in St. Radegund, Innviertel, Upper Austria conducted. It was privately built and is supported by 1000 signatories for a petition.