The Treehouse Family Retreat, nestled on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, was designed by architectural studio Thomas & Denzinger as a generational family vacation home for an Indiana-based couple. The property presented significant challenges—ancient live oaks with majestic beauty resided there first and were protected—although it has breathtaking panoramas of the marsh and The Ocean Course.
At the heart of the property is a massive live oak with a grove of live oaks to one side. Since live oaks are protected, the architect had to build the home’s footprint around the wide trunk spread of the center oak and the oak groves to the side. Encompassing 4,500 square feet of living space, there are five bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms. The dwelling is visually separated into three faceted boxes that flow in bays toward the view.
DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECT/DESIGNER Thomas & Denzinger BUILDER Buffington Homes DEVELOPER South Street/Kiawah Partners LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Wertimer & Cline Associates INTERIOR DESIGNER Melanie Turner Interiors
Stained cedar siding presents the massing as borderless and one with the land. The shelter stands tall with an imposing concrete tower centerpiece, thus projecting strength like the neighboring trees. The house was built primarily of concrete, steel, wood, and impact-rated glass to withstand the elements. Yet, the composition nods to that of a playful treehouse.
What We Love: This family dream home was beautifully designed around the trees to help preserve them while also enabling them to flourish. The design challenge allowed the project team to create a unique home design while maximizing views. We especially love how the home office desk is suspended from the ceiling to make it feel like it’s nestled in the tree canopy. No matter the season, this is an incredibly peaceful home that will grow with the family and with the surrounding terrain.
Tell Us: Would this treehouse-inspired home be your idea of the perfect family retreat? Let us know why or why not in the Comments below. We love reading your feedback!
Note: Check out a couple of other incredible home tours that we have showcased here on One Kindesign in the state of South Carolina: Tour this gorgeous beach house retreat nestled on Kiawah Island and A spectacular Kiawah Island beach house provides a tropical sanctuary.
Above: The front of the home features a 400-square-foot window that spans all three levels. Atlantic Architectural Windows & Doors sourced the windows. Inside, you will find floor-to-ceiling windows, most of which are curtain wall windows. The entry window frames the live oak, lending the feeling of living in a ‘tree house.’
The middle of the three structures encompasses the entry, living room, kitchen, and laundry room on the main level. The second level boasts four bedrooms and bathrooms, along with a rooftop deck. To the right, a glass hyphen connects the owner’s bedroom suite over the garage on the street side. To the left, the structure hosts a screened outdoor living room and a cooking area.
Above: This open-layout kitchen and dining area offer plenty of seating. The quartz island with a waterfall profile has four chairs, and the breakfast table beside the window has six mid-century Verner Panton chairs.
Above: The floors are rift and quartersawn white oak and peacock pavers.
Above: The owner’s expansive bathroom has tall ceilings and custom-fabricated wood accents.
Above: The home office has a custom-fabricated hanging desk, a thoughtful detail that helps to not detract from the views. With floor-to-ceiling windows, this idyllic space frames views of the ancient live oak tree that was preserved on the property.
Above: This screened porch has a fireplace and boasts views of nature and beyond to the marsh.
PHOTOGRAPHER Holger Obenaus Photography
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