Say ‘treehouse’ and most people envision a boxy wooden structure perched on a platform in the crotch of a tree, accessed by boards hammered into the trunk. Dustin Feider had a different vision: one that would be good for the tree, the environment and the deep human need to reconnect with nature and our primordial roots. Through his company, O2 Treehouse, Feider is out to revolutionize not merely treehouses but the entire concept of habitat.
Feider, a graduate of Minneapolis College of Art and Design with a degree in Furniture Design, sees the treehouse as a symbol of the growing sustainability movement. The company name is a reference to oxygen, the critical first building block for any sustainable endeavor. Every O2 is built from 100% recycled or recyclable materials from sustainable sources. Equally important, because nothing is nailed, screwed or bolted to the tree, it has no negative impact on its health or growth. “The 02 is hung via a cable suspension system. This makes for a strong, stable structure and also ensures that the tree is not harmed or restricted in any way,” said Feider.
His modular designs are based on Buckminster Fuller’s famed geodesic dome (Epcot Center at Disney World is one example). Geodesic designs are noted for enclosing the greatest volume of space in the least surface area, which means they require less material to construct. “The geodesic sphere is the heart of the 02 design. It functions as a skeleton,” said Feider, noting that the basic structure is constructed of T-2 aluminum, available in many different colors. “You add your choice of flooring, canopy and any number of up-grades.”
According to Feider, the modular design allows for infinite customization, expanding and evolving to accommodate any style, size or functional design preference. “It’s completely scalable. It can be small and intimate or huge. We’re talking to a company about building a tree-top eco-resort in Mexico. We also see it as a logical option for low-cost emergency shelter, summer camps and adventure travel installations.”
The O2 is available in three basic canopy styles: exterior, interior and 100% hemp canvas with a mildew- and UV-resistant coating. The interior canopy is made of recycled high density poly-ethelyne (HDPE) milk carton plastic. The exterior canopy is constructed of 60% post-consumer-waste eco resin panels available in hundreds of colors and textures. Solar panels can also be incorporated. All styles have functioning windows or flaps. “Since all the materials are translucent, the structures give off a lantern-like glow when lit from within and the occupant enjoys the play of leaves and shadow at sunset and sunrise.”
Other construction options include lighting, sound systems, energy systems, water systems, and flooring material ranging from basic plywood to tongue-and-grove hardwood. “We can also reuse any material you have on hand,” said Feider, noting that add-ons are limited by your imagination. “Floor level decks, look-out towers, rope bridges, stairs, swings, diving nets – we can do that.”
He added that after-sale services include annual safety checks, canopy cleaning, removal/reinstalls, consultation and repairs.
The O2, can be adapted to single-trunk or multi-trunk trees or suspended and connected between several trees. No tree? No problem, said Feider. “The O2 can be suspended inside a free-standing structure. It’s kind of like the lunar module legs. We can place it anywhere: a lake, the desert, an open field or meadow. We can also provide a landscaping design to help the structure blend into its environment.”