▲ Bird’s-eye view of the treehouse architecture and surrounding landscape
Project Background
Freedom Home Tree House World is located in Qiyun Mountain, Xiuning County, Mount Huangshan City, Anhui Province. This resort combines an experiential camp-style villa hotel with forest outdoor recreation activities. The first phase features 15 standalone villa-style guest rooms, nestled among pine forests and hills, each designed by a team of creative and influential architects. Known for its innovative design, quality construction, and efficient operations, the project has gained significant recognition.
The second phase builds upon the success of the first, with the owner requesting larger spaces and enhanced comfort. The architects focused heavily on accommodating family travel needs, emphasizing safety, comfort, and fun in the guest room designs.
▲ Another aerial perspective of the treehouse and landscape
Site Selection
The Treehouse World Campsite is set in a hilly area surrounded by dense pine forests, creating a tranquil green oasis isolated from the outside world. Entering this space feels like stepping into a lush dream, with the scent of morning dew and fresh earth filling the air. The hustle and bustle of everyday life fades away, replaced by distant rolling clouds atop Qiyun Mountain.
After extensive exploration, the architect chose a relatively high ridge as the foundation for the first treehouse of Phase II. This location offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the main peak of Qiyun Mountain, while ensuring accessible pedestrian walkways with manageable slopes leading to the building.
▲ Overall layout plan
▲ Landscape bird’s-eye view
The UFO-Inspired Architectural Form
The design features expansive floor-to-ceiling glass windows, maximizing exposure to the breathtaking natural surroundings. Since the rooms cater to families, especially children, the architectural concept embraces a playful, sci-fi theme inspired by flying saucers—something that typically delights kids.
Given the region’s rainy climate, with nearly 200 rainy days annually, the architect incorporated a circular corridor outside the glass facade, extending the eaves to create a transitional “grey space” between indoors and outdoors. This corridor widens on the side facing Qiyun Mountain’s main peak, transforming into a leisure platform where guests can relax and enjoy the stunning views.
▲ The UFO seemingly floating in mid-air
▲ Landscape model concept
▲ Composition of treehouse architecture and landscape space
▲ Distant view of the UFO in the snow, its sci-fi aura invites exploration
▲ Shuttle navigating atop the pine forest
▲ Side view of the UFO leisure platform
▲ The UFO leisure platform bathed in the warm glow of sunset
▲ View of Qiyun Mountain from the UFO leisure platform
▲ The UFO viewed from the Starry Sky Bar
▲ Disc-shaped restaurant beneath a starry sky
▲ Interior view of the UFO leisure area
▲ Interior view of a UFO bedroom
Structure and Materials
The building combines steel and wood in its structure: steel forms the main frame, while wood is used for the roof framework and both interior and exterior wall supports. Various materials were explored for the exterior skin, including aluminum veneer, aluminum composite panels, stainless steel plates, and weathered steel.
Ultimately, red cedar sourced locally was chosen for its energy efficiency, environmental friendliness, and ease of construction. Its surface is treated with oil-based paint for durability and aesthetics.
▲ UFO landing near the sea
Landscape Design
The landscape embraces playful elements inspired by the UFO theme, incorporating magical lights and planetary motifs. Features include a UFO light entrance, a stargazing trampoline, a UFO-shaped grill, and a starry sky dining bar, all designed to immerse visitors in a dreamy, otherworldly environment.
▲ UFO seemingly floating in the air
▲ View of the UFO Fire Station from the leisure platform
Project Drawings
▲ UFO First Floor Plan
▲ UFO Roof Plan
▲ UFO Sectional View
▲ Starry Sky Bar Floor Plan
▲ Starry Sky Bar Roof Plan
▲ View of the stargazing area beneath the bed
▲ Top plan of the stargazing jumping bed
▲ Facade of the stargazing jumping bed
Project Information
Project Type: Hotel
Location: Mount Huangshan, China
Architectural Design: Jinglan Architecture
Area: 102.0 square meters
Year: 2019
Photographer: Shao Feng
Lead Architect: Zhu Ziye
Design Team: Li Jianshuo, Wu Yanru, Chen Xuhui
Owner: Anhui Xiangyuan Free Home Vacation Camp Tourism Management Co., Ltd
Engineer: Shanghai Zhenyuan Wooden Structure Design Engineering Co., Ltd
Construction: Chongqing Weitu Landscape Design Co., Ltd
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