Could you tell us about yourself ? 

Artistree founder, Will Beilharz, is passionate about forests, trees, the environment, and helping people enjoy nature.  Growing up on their family ranch, Will was exposed early to ideas like sustainable living which infuses his work from the building materials selected and the construction process’ impact on the land, to the sustainability of the operations when the development is complete.

How do you begin the Design Process?

 

Listening.  We listen to the landowner about their vision for what is created including who they see using the space over the years and how they want the space to feel. And just as important we have to listen and learn from the land itself and the ecosystems already there to create something that is in harmony with the environment, not a box placed on top of it. We study wind patterns, waterways, existing flora and fauna to create treehouses that bring people into nature. It means as much as possible, we work around what is there we don’t bulldoze and then plant new plants when we are done.

 

 

 

What was the timeline for building the Nest Treehouse at Cypress Valley?

 

The Nest was built in about 9 months. We spent a lot of time during that project collecting things we could repurpose—milled much of our own wood from downed trees on that property, reclaimed and painted pallet wood for internal walls, and built the decks from wood off of other platforms no longer in use that were made of cypress. The Nest even has a ceiling lamp in the kids bedroom made from a bike wheel and mason jars for lights in the master bedroom. Upcycling and recycling can take a lot more time but it is an amazing feeling when people love the results and we know we kept things out of a landfill!

 

 

What are the biggest Challenges and Attractions of building the Nest Treehouse at  Cypress Valley?

 

A big challenge was re-imagining a use for the majestic and ancient cypress trees that had died in the 2011 wildfire in Spicewood. Cypress wood lasts “forever” (Pharoahs used in to build their sarcophogus I think) but the trees were no longer alive.  So rather than cut them down, we connected them by the massive metal arch you see above the treehouses and bolted the arch into the ground on each side of the ravine.  This keeps all the tree trunks stable and is the basis for us growing flowering vines over the arch which someday will provide a magical open air arbor for hummingbirds and butterflies. It also gives guests some amazing nooks and lookouts from which to explore and embody a Swiss Family adventure.

 

Do you have a Signature Style?

 

Every Artistree treehouse has been unique and able to provide guests a new experience in each one.  However, our new Spyglass and Compass treehouses were designed with the idea that they could be adapted to a variety of trees and landscapes. You can see both of them on our new treehouse booking platform Hometree.us. The first Spyglass is at our new Fredericksburg location and the Compass in on the Sonoma Coast in California.

 

 

 

What Trends do you feel are important in Design and Architecture?

 

Pushing the envelop to be lighter andlighter on the land while still offering guests a very comfortable experience. This is not camping, or even glamping. Most of our units have bathrooms either en suite or across a bridge—some with Onsen style soaking tubs. Yet, it is luxury mainly finding ways to give people the luxury of disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with themselves, who they came with, and with nature.  That is a real vacation.

 

How can people reach you? 

 

Do you work all over the USA? Where can we view some more of your Beautiful Designs?

The Nest offers a rustic accommodation, decorated in simple manner with a private terrace with chairs to sit and enjoy the sunrise.  Staying here has you feeling like you are flying through Canopies of Jungles and climbing the tops of Hill Country with wonderful glimpses of star gazing.

The Design of the Nest at the Cypress Valley

is incredibly unique.