The Incredible (Tree)House That Foster Huntington Calls Home

After bidding farewell to his job as a designer for Ralph Lauren in 2011, Foster Huntington embarked on a nomadic lifestyle, traveling around the country in a Volkswagen Syncro Camper Van. To make ends meet, he worked as a photographer and blogger and even published a book called Home is Where You Park it, about his unusual lifestyle. But all good things have to come to an end. By 2014, the young man was ready to settle down in a more permanent home.

For most people that would entail seeking out an apartment, condominium or single-family home. But that was too mundane for the free-spirited Huntington. Instead, he decided to build a treehouse. And not just any treehouse, but a virtual paradise that boasts breathtaking views, multiple wood-fired hot tubs and even a skatepark!

Called Cinder Cone Treehouse, it sits on Huntington's family land in Skamania, Washington and comprises of two separate structures that are connected via a 25-foot suspension bridge. Bolted safely between massive Douglas-Fir trees that sit atop a hill, the wooden abode offers its resident incredible views of the surrounding wilderness. The lower structure called the Studio, serves as Huntington's office, kitchen, and guesthouse, while the Octagon that lies across, functions as his den and bedroom.

Measuring a mere 220 square feet each, the rooms are not palatial by any stretch of the imagination. But they provide all the comforts of home and work well for Huntington, who has a penchant for living in small spaces.

While the treehouse is certainly cool, what is even more incredible are the numerous wood burning hot tubs scattered around the area and the reinforced concrete skate park that was carved out from a nearby hill.

Of course, an idyllic little paradise like this is not easy or cheap. Cinder Cone Treehouse took Huntington and his construction team that comprised of his family and friends a year to build, and cost $170,000 USD. That of course, does not include the price of the land which happened to be free for Huntington.

But the photographer and blogger who says his surroundings inspire him to be more creative is not concerned. He is living his dream. Huntington hopes he can encourage others to do the same and has even published a book that outlines his experience and serves as an instructional manual for those that wish to build their own dream (tree)home.

Resources: dailymail.co.uk,gizmag.com,treehugger.com