Build A Micro Sized/Budgeted Backyard Retreat
This site tends to focus on tiny residential structures–microscopic pads that people are supposed to live in. But the charms of tiny aren’t limited to houses. Case in point is this tree, um, “structure” built by Derek “Deek” Diedricksen. As his Relaxshacks blog name implies, Deek is a master at building tiny structures, many of which are intentionally recreational: treehouses, off-grid cabins and the like. Almost everything he makes is tiny and most are done on microscopic budgets, making for affordable places to chill out, read, play or hide from screaming kids.
This particular structure was set up in a backyard in the outskirts of Boston. It’s only 32 sq ft and is connected to a pair of oaks. Deek calls it the “RF”, or Robot Face, treehouse for obvious reasons (the robot’s eyes are actually a pair of solar lawn lights). The structure has a removable desk and the blocking framework doubles as shelving. There’s an openable window for light and ventilation, and its position under the two trees keeps it from becoming a hot box in the summer, yet the big window lets in enough passive solar heat to make it feasible during colder months too.
Oftentimes, when people seek more space, they think about moving into a new home. What tiny structures like this show is that you can add a lot–privacy, quiet, fun–with just a little bit of knowhow and some lumber.
If you’re interested in building your own Relaxshack, Deek regularly holds workshops. His next is in Fargo ND. Stop by his site for more info.