How modern people live in trees.

The publisher writes about its richly illustrated book, which takes a well-documented look at extraordinary and clever tree houses in forests and cities around the world: “Tree houses have always been places of longing: symbols of endless summers, quiet retreats, bridges between humans and nature. Today more than ever, they are an expression of a new attitude to life — architectural gems that combine modern design with sustainable thinking.”

The volume brings together creative self-builds as well as constructed works by international architects — including firms such as Snøhetta, BIG or Baumraum. No two designs are alike, yet these extraordinary houses all share the same goal: to bring us closer to nature. Some houses nestle on stilts in the treetops without touching them, others grow out of them as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Still others float freely in the canopy, and some designs use the tree as inspiration for their own form.

Five chapters reveal the whole diversity of life under trees: playful huts where children can romp and climb; hidden retreats for writers and thinkers; observation platforms with sweeping views of the countryside; fantastic holiday homes that make our own childhood dreams come true. And finally: tree houses to live in — as living utopias of sustainable living in harmony with the environment.

Whether as a place of adventure, an oasis of calm or a fully-fledged home: each of these 62 structures is proof that happiness does not have to be big, but must be built right. They take us back to our roots and at the same time invite us to lift our gaze. Because even if our feet are firmly on the ground, our dreams can still reach a little higher.

The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung writes: “Hardly any other architectural type is as old and as contemporary as the tree house. An illustrated book shows how architects are bringing this eternal place of longing into the present day… Modern Tree Houses brings together 62 remarkable examples. Although no two designs are alike, they all share the same goal: to bring people closer to nature.”

The creators of the book

Marie-Laure Cruschi is a French illustrator who founded Cruschiform in Paris in 2007. In her work, she combines art, graphic design, illustration, and typography. Her sensitivity to color and simple modular forms allows her to create playful and poetic illustrations. Marie-Laure Cruschi has long worked on cultural and fashion magazines and children’s books, as well as with music and luxury brands.

Co-author Florian Siebeck is a writer and journalist based in Frankfurt am Main. Author of books on design and architecture, he was, amongst others, in charge of the topics culture and style at FAZ.net., editor at Architectural Digest, and has written extensively on architecture, design, style, and travel for magazines such as Monocle and Vogue.

Benjamin Wolbergs, a graphic designer based in Berlin, served as editor and art director. With a focus on photography, art, and architecture, he specializes in book design and gives form to numerous publications for the cultural sector. As an editor Benjamin Wolbergs combines content with form, his book New Queer Photography was shortlisted for the national photograhy award in Germany.

The lovingly designed and richly illustrated book, measuring 23.8 x 30.2 cm and comprising 376 pages, is available in English only.

You can order Modern Tree Houses here from Taschen Verlag for 50 €.