new woodnest treehouses are suspended among pine forests of odda, norway

woodnest continues to grow in odda

Back in 2020, Norwegian architecture studio Helen & Hard completed two Woodnest treehouses, a unique concept which saw the cabins anchored to living pine trees on the steep hillsides of Odda, Norway. Now in 2023, and the same team has introduced two additional cabins — dubbed the Mountaintop cabins — to make a development of four in total. Like their predecessors, these tiny dwellings are suspended six meters above the forest floor. Each cabin is secured to a living pine tree with a steel collar, offering a distinctive spatial experience reminiscent of tree-climbing adventures. Each Mountaintop cabin covers just fifteen square meters and featuring a hand-carved wooden bathtub along with a space-saving bed which lowers from the ceiling with one press of a button. See designboom’s previous coverage here!

image © Håkon Settemsdal

journey to the treetops overlooking norway’s fjords

The Woodnest treehouses are catered for outdoor-lovers as they can only be accessed by taking a twenty-minute hike through the forests surrounding Odda, Norway. This steep, densely wooded trail opens to reveal an elevated timber footbridge leading guests into the treehouse’s front door. The architects at Helen & Hard organize the interiors of each cabin radially around the central tree trunk, integrating four sleeping spaces, a bathroom, and a compact kitchen area. From this perch, guests can enjoy distant views through the neighboring trees, overlooking the fjord below and the mountains beyond.
image © Mathias Haughom

the roots of woodnest: dreaming of treehouses

The entire Woodnest project is an exploration of timber’s potential as a building material. Paying homage to traditional Norwegian timber architecture, the project derives structural support from the tree trunk and is constructed from a series of radial glu-laminated timber ribs. The exterior is clad in untreated natural timber shingles that age over time to harmonize with the natural surroundings. 

‘Founders Woodnest started with a bucket list, the founders and owners, Kjartan & Sally, met with a surprisingly common wish; Sally wanted to sleep in a treehouse and Kjartan wanted to build one,‘ says the team, describing the origins of Woodnest. ‘The dream had started and now it’s a reality. This family run business aims to bring you as close to nature but without forgoing the luxuries. Inspired by Scandic design, Woodnest boasts a collection of Norwegian designers and locally crafted products. With a small carbon footprint of just 14m2 these treehouses adapt perfectly into its natural surroundings.’

image © Mathias Haughom

image © Ole Sebastian Ribeimage © Samuel Taipale

image © Ole Sebastian Ribe

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image © Albert Heisler

image © Mathias Haughom

image © Mathias Haughom

image © Mathias Haughom

image © Samuel Taipale

image © Mathias Haughom

image © Sindre Ellingsen

image © Ole Sebastian Ribe

image © Samuel Taipale

project info:

project title: Woodnest | @_woodnest_

designers: Helen & Hard | @helenhardarchitects

location: Odda, Norway
client: Sally & Kjartan Aano, Woodnest

previous coverage: November 2020

completion: 2023

photography: © Håkon Settemsdal, Mathias Haughom, Ole Sebastian Ribe, Samuel Taipale, Albert Heisler, Sindre Ellingsen