madeiguincho's treehouse recalls carefree childhood memories

A sculpture raised from the ground by Madeiguincho

This treehouse in Portugal, designed by the architecture and woodworking studio Madeiguincho, was conceived for a grandfather who wanted to give his grandchildren some quality time away from screens. A small treasure elevated on the trees recalls timeless memories of carefree youth, where nature becomes the most precious companion for young and old.

Made entirely from wood, the tiny house is perched on the tree trunks, using them as stilts, with a lightweight wooden staircase being the only possible way to enter. This conscious choice ensures a minimal impact on the land and a reduced carbon footprint. The tiny shelter follows the traditional archetype of the house concept, which sees four walls under a gable roof. Playing with solids and gaps, the house is clad in wooden slabs letting the sunrays cast light on the interior, animating its wooden surfaces.

constructed in a deep respect for the natural environment | all images by João Carranca

bringing out the inner child

The ‘Treehouse for grandchildren’ is part of a larger series of ‘Tree Houses’ across Portugal designed by Madeiguincho (see more here). The aim of this project was to create a cozy place nestled into greenery, fostering kids and adults to reconnect with nature. ‘A simple, familiar, and easy-to-use space that keeps in contrast with technology trends that kids are getting used to,’ mentioned the design team.

The overall shelter is pierced by three trees, which double as columns for its construction. Made of CLT panels, with a cedar roof, the entire structure stands on a platform that extends the living place and serves as a balcony. A Cedar tree crosses the main mass of the project, and two Tipuan trees delimit and support the platform.

The entire exterior of the house was burned to preserve the wood better and subsequently bathed in linseed oil, allowing it to gain a cool and raw texture. This contrasts with a neater, warmer interior that overflows with a natural wood texture, lightly treated with matte oil. The natural light openings prevail in an east-west orientation, bringing out a beautiful view of the sunrise and sunset.

a sculpture raised from the ground, with minimal impact on its surrounding