Dream Tree Houses
Have you ever wanted to escape from it all to a quiet place surrounded by pristine nature and peace? As residents of Cairo, we can relate. Luckily, Bower House Construction, mastermind and master carpenter of custom tree houses, has us covered. Wherever you are and whatever your escapist dream entails, there is a tree house escape for you.
By Kate Dannies
Our favourite thing about Bower House Construction’s creations is that they manage to balance the luxury we crave with the eco-friendliness and simplicity we desire. All you need is a lush forest canopy and they do the rest—providing a perfectly balanced shelter that is off the grid and yet incredibly liveable.
Each tree house is custom made to order per the desires of the customer. Bower House’s innovative construction process helps to ensure the perfect design and minimize construction waste. First, the architects use computer technology to capture every aspect of the project down to the most minute detail, tweaking as needed. Next, the tree house’s parts are precision cut off site to minimize waste and reduce disruption at the building site’s ecosystem.
The building materials used adhere to the highest standards of sustainability. Locally-sourced sustainably harvested wood is used the majority of the time, with FSC-certified timber as an alternative when necessary. No chemically treated wood is used in the construction process, making these homes as natural and non-toxic as possible.
Doing away with invasive concrete foundations, the tree houses are supported by low impact helical coil foundations consisting of corkscrew-esque contraptions screwed into the ground with a hydraulic power pack. This technology is designed to cause minimal damage to forest root zones, and can be completely and cleanly removed as necessary.
While we usually think of tree houses as open to the elements, these homes come built with natural climate control to accommodate year-round living and different environments. Sheep’s wool or recycled cellulose are used to craft a sustainable indoor temperature. Innovative low energy solutions ensure that the tree houses remain off the grid while offering the comforts of home. Inside, the architects make maximum use of recycles materials and natural finishes to bring the exterior environment inside and enhance integration with the natural environment.
We’re in the process of planning our escape as we speak, although we’re not sure that there is enough natural air conditioning in the world to make a Cairo tree house the ultimate retreat we desire. We can dream.
