Captain Hook's Treehouse

Captain Hook's Treehouse

Flickr user Dianadi65 and I have e-mailed about her awesome treehouse. There are some great photos on her flickr account and this one shows the Captian Hook railing reused from a community play. This attached message is her describing why they built the treehouse and I thought I'd repost it for other parents:

The inspiration to build a treehouse for our daughter came from the fantastic place to play she discovered down a path through the back yard. Our friends own the house we are in, but they said "go for it" if we wanted to create something down there, so that we have!

As for the why... I am a big supporter of "perfect childhoods," meaning the kind where kids can be kids and go off on their own adventures more regularly, without too much interference from the grownup world. These days I do not see much of this going on. We have become so busy and scheduled that kids have everything programmed in for them--and I think that is to their detriment as creative, independently functioning beings.

They also need to get their heads out of the cyber/electronic world and back OUTSIDE. Or at least a clubhouse or tent or something where they can, collectively, be experimental and messy. Garage? Basement? Nothing fancy--just try to get rid of the spiders, ha ha. We all remember our own childhoods. "Outside" was not a vague notion--it was a command from the boss. GO OUTSIDE! And off we went--somewhere-- until it was time to eat again.

I know neighborhoods aren't what they used to be and not everyone is fortunate enough to have an ideal location for something like a treehouse. Maybe not even a tree! But--for the sake of the kids, I urge people to put on their thinking caps and come up with ways to give them back some of their independence. Not wonton lawlessness or anything like that. Watch old episodes of "Our Gang" and "The Little Rascals." I think one of the challenges of our time is to re-create a Golden Age of Childhood that figures in ways to let them roam a bit. It is time to give equal weight to safety AND freedom.

I hope as my 2 cents worth it goes in the hopper here and there and gets a wheel turning. I am curious where people's heads are at on this.

--DD

Garden Treehouse Take Down

Garden Treehouse Take Down

Another example of a residential dispute in Harrow UK over a treehouse that results in a take down order.

"Councillor Marilyn Ashton said Harrow would not allow large structures to be built in people's back gardens without approval. Everyone remembers treehouses from their childhood but a treehouse earns that name by being in a tree - you can't build a large shed on stilts next to a tree and call it a treehouse."

The councillor's comments are worth reviewing:

First, council got involved only because the neighbour complained that the elevated treehouse invaded their privacy and was unsightly to their view. Take note: if you're planning to build a treehouse check with your neighbours if they'll be able to see it, or if you'll be able to peer into their lives. If they're okay with the idea you'll probably not have any problems with local bylaws.

Second, the council was able to order the take down because the treehouse fell under the jurisdiction of their bylaws: "Garden buildings require planning permission if they are more than four metres tall or cover more than half the garden." This situation would have been different if the treehouse was not a garden building -- in other words, if it wasn't built on stilts.

My advice for people thinking of building a treehouse in an urban or suburban setting is to build entirely in the tree with no part of the structure touching the ground. This way, the treehouse cannot be classified as a garden structure and therefore does not fall under the same jurisdiction or bylaws.

Even if you build entirely in a tree, there are still some limitations on the size, by square footage, that can reasonably define a treehouse depending on the area you live. However, by talking with your neighbours first and perching the structure in a tree you can avoid most of the red tape and problems that come from these kind of disputes.

Residential Vortex House

Residential Vortex House

I found this on BoredStop.com of a remarkable sculpture made from recycled wood (possibly from the house itself) to create a vortex funnel from the front, right through the house, and out the back fence.

I wonder if it was artistic brilliance or if it was intended to serve as a giant megaphone to shout at the neighbours?