A childhood dream in the Lincolnshire countryside has blossomed into a global business for Jason Thawley, the founder of the innovative British company, Tree Tents. His unique spherical treehouses, a far cry from the traditional wooden structures, are now gaining international acclaim, featuring in a new book celebrating arboreal architecture.
From Childhood Dream to Global Creations
Jason Thawley, now 50, confesses he never had a treehouse while growing up, but he always wanted one. This unfulfilled childhood desire directly inspired his venture. In 2016, he established Tree Tents, which specialises in designing and building remarkable spherical treehouses. Today, his company has successfully installed more than 20 of these orbs in various locations across the globe.
Thawley's pioneering work is now showcased in the newly released publication, Modern Treehouses by Florian Siebeck, published by the renowned house Taschen for £50. The book highlights extraordinary tree-based structures from a glass treehouse in Norway to a wooden build atop a Japanese volcano.
The Engineering Behind the Spheres
What makes Thawley's creations so special is their unique design and sustainable construction. Each structure is an engineering marvel, weighing approximately 250kg. They are crafted from recycled aluminium and sustainable plywood, demonstrating a commitment to eco-friendly materials.
The interior is lined with cosy fleece cladding and the exterior is protected by an ultra-waterproof canvas. Instead of being built rigidly around a single tree, these tents are suspended using steel wires between several trees, with access granted by a ladder.
A Tardis-Like Sanctuary in the Canopy
Stepping inside is a surprising experience. Thawley describes it as “a bit Tardis-like”, referring to the seemingly larger interior. Each tree tent measures three metres wide and three metres tall. Despite the compact exterior, the interior is cleverly arranged to include space for a double bed, a single bed, a desk, and a log burner.
The wood burner even features a chimney that protrudes from the side of the tent. One of these unique accommodations, part of the Nasets Marcusgard campsite in Sweden, can be rented for around £240 per night. Thawley assures that even in harsh Swedish winters where temperatures can plummet to minus 20°C, the combination of fleece insulation and the log burner means “you could be in shorts and a T-shirt”.
Unlike static traditional treehouses, these tents move slightly in the wind. Thawley describes this gentle motion as “a feeling of very low turbulence” and credits it with providing “the best night’s sleep I’ve ever had.” This innovative approach to outdoor living proves that a childhood fantasy can indeed become a revolutionary and sustainable reality.
