INTRODUCTION Tree Tents are lightweight, hybrid aluminium and steam bent green ash static airframes. They enable minimal impact living in the trees, make woodlands for accessable and get people into the canopy - enjoying trees! The Tree Tent concept is a culmination of over 3 years of work and research in sustainable shelter systems, fabric structures and timber engineering. We wanted to develop a lightweight and efficient structure using sustainable, recyclable, recycled and natural materials. A structure that can be easily transported and assembled on-site with minimal, non-permanent impact on its environment.

What we realised was a unique, hybrid aluminium and green ash static airframe combined with an expertly tailored 100% cotton canvas skin. A true triumph of traditional timber craftsmanship paired with modern, lightweight precision engineering and championing the use of UK hardwoods in design. The spherical structure is 3m in diameter, sizable enough to comfortably accommodate two adults. 100% wool, winter thermal liners allow for all year round accommodation while wood stove, water and renewable electric options offer the extra creature comforts.

The Tent is akin to an airship in many ways, its dirigible structure blends two very different but similar engineering materials - aluminium and wood; with inspiration and design ques taken heavily from early zeppelin engineering and early lightweight aircraft design.

TEAM Tree Tents bring together a unique team; friends with specialised and varied talents from balloon and airship engineering, precision machining, fabrication and autosport engineering, a lifetime carpenter and expert steam bender and sustainable engineering and design expertise.

The Tree Tent concept was initially created by Jason Thawley of design studio Luminair...

“The concept has been in development over the past couple of years in between our main design projects. We've looked carefully at the growing popularity in yurt and tipi camping in the UK and the other amazing structures that have come into play over the past few years and wanted to offer our own take on low impact shelters.”

Tree Tents aim to offer comfortable and low impact inclusion into the woodland at any time of year whether it be for recreation, research, conservation or education.

SPECIFICATIONS Main Specifications: Size: 3m Diameter Sphere. Weight: 120Kg Materials : Green Ash, Aluminium, 100% Cotton Canvas. Max. additional loading : 250Kg Price: From £8500 GBP (ex.vat)

MAIN DESIGN FEATURES Shape: Why a sphere? Quite simply, symmetry... oh, and it looks great too. Symmetry means even load distribution through the wooden laths, repeatability of parts, adaptability in rigging, good rain fall-off, and most of all, no straight lines which we feel helps them blend into and balance with their environment.

Steam bent Green Ash: Not only a frame for the canvas skin the ash frame also goes some way to stabilising the overall structure. The amazing strength produced from the curved ash laths spread the loading throughout the structure and also take shock from occupant movement. Each hand made frame is steam bent from the same tree which is picked for its evenness of growth through good soil conditions and even environmental exposure. This ensures each bent member behaves in exactly the same way and return to their exact same shape following loading.

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MAIN DESIGN FEATURES cont. Aluminium sub-frame: Aluminium is an amazing material - ok there may be a fair bit of energy used in its production but if used correctly it can replace heavier materials, does not corrode, is 100% recyclable and by a large part already recycled drastically cutting down that energy consumption. Moreover, the aluminium sub-frame allows for a strong and efficient structure and one that complements the surrounding ash frame both aesthetically and structurally and keeps material consumption to a minimum.

100% cotton canvas: One of the major degrading factors to outdoor structural fabrics is ultra-violet radiation from the sun. Ok, we get a bit of shelter in the woods but not enough all year round. Blended synthetic and natural canvases are indeed popular but the benzene molecules in these petroleum based fabrics are more susceptible to UV than natural cotton fibres. To this end we use a heavy and tight, dense weave 16oz/455gsm, 100% cotton canvas proofed for mould, mildew and fungal attack and water repellence. Available in natural, red or olive green.

Rigging: The Tree Tent structure is designed to adapt to a number of different rigging situations - either from one large overhanging branch or sharing the load between 2-4 trees or even between buildings and indoor structures. We specifically use Marlow Dyneema rope for our rigging - 15 times stronger than steel wire and 8 times lighter on a strength to strength basis. As such we can rig structures from rope as little as 6mm in diameter making the sphere appear to be floating in air!