OUR JOURNEY
Rooted in a passion for nature and craftsmanship, we build more than treehouses—we create timeless sanctuaries that inspire a deeper connection with the natural world.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
From a young age, Philipp displayed a natural talent for climbing and a deep love for heights.
Growing up in the Auroville forest, surrounded by pioneers living in simple tree huts, he was inspired to take this lifestyle to new heights—literally. Philipp made it his life’s mission to build grander, more innovative homes in the most majestic trees around the world.
Together with members of what would become today’s TreeHouse Community, Philipp spent his adolescent years experimenting with various building materials, mastering construction techniques, and fostering a space for skill-sharing at the Auroville Youth Centre. His journey took a pivotal turn when he attended the youth-led Climate COP in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which inspired the launch of the 500 TreeHouse Project. This ambitious initiative aims to promote sustainable construction practices and encourage a deeper connection with nature by living among the trees.
Years of experimentation and meticulous documentation led to the creation of the ultimate treehouse design, marking the beginning of the 500 TreeHouse Project. The first treehouse built for commercial use at a renowned eco-resort marked the official founding of TreeHouse Community as a Unit under the Auroville Foundation.
With the growing demand for sustainable housing solutions, we expanded by inaugurating a large workshop space in Auroville, equipped with advanced woodworking tools and model treehouses. This facility welcomes treehouse enthusiasts and allows us to craft the finest materials from sustainably sourced hardwoods, ready for assembly across India and beyond.
Philipp's passion for treehouses goes beyond his work—he lives full-time in a treehouse with his family and young children, embodying the lifestyle and values that TreeHouse Community stands for. Today, our treehouse projects span continents, nestled in the world's tallest and most majestic trees, bringing people closer to nature in every corner of the globe.
WHY
Our vision is to lead the way in sustainable living by creating treehouses that are not only architectural masterpieces but also symbols of a future where humans and nature coexist in harmony. We aspire to inspire a global movement toward eco-friendly construction and living, where everyone can experience the joy and serenity of life among the trees.
HOW
We want to create innovative, eco-friendly tree houses that foster a harmonious relationship between people and nature. Through exceptional craftsmanship and sustainable practices, we aim to inspire a lifestyle that embraces the beauty and tranquility of living among the trees, while promoting environmental stewardship and a deeper connection to the natural world.
MEET THE CREW
Behind every exceptional treehouse is a team of passionate professionals. Our skilled artisans, designers, builders, and project managers bring years of experience and a shared love for nature to every project.
Philipp
Having grown up in the forest of South India and living in a prototype treehouse, Philipp spends more time in the canopy than on the ground. He built over 150 treehouses in India, South America, Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world. Philipp is the founder and dedicated researcher of TreeHouse Community. He is always ready and searching for the next adventure – ‘work more and better’.
Yash
Yash is an avid climber and dedicated treehouse builder. Having experience on rock faces and high lines, he is now becoming familiar with all branches of arboriculture which allows him to scale up any tree. His involvement in some of the most challenging treehouse builds in recent years, makes him confident with most aspects of a complete treehouse build.
Mahindra
Mahindra has been part of the treehouse journey for many years, gaining a wealth of hands-on experience along the way. Over the years, he has developed a wealth of practical knowledge about the challenges that come with building in the trees, drawing on skills gathered by doing the work. He’s always keen to keep learning, refining his craft, and finding better ways to build.
Ilango
Ilango masters a disappearing craft of ecological construction that uses only materials that grow locally. We have taken these traditional ecological housing principles to the next level by combining it with modern treehouse building techniques. He also engages in sustainable forestry, wood processing and community-building event management.
Priya
Manages the organization of numbers and communication. She is inspired by treehouse living as a way of being close to nature and living an environmentally sound life. This brings her to creating upcycled produce out of waste wooden materials from treehouse projects and wooden treehouse features.
Jasper
Trained as a carpenter in Germany, Jasper's passion for diverse and challenging work led him to TreeHouse Community. Since joining the team, he has been honing his skills in arboriculture, structural carpentry, and climbing - bringing together his craftsmanship and his love for working in the trees.
Luke
A talented climber and engineer from the UK. Luke had been with us for several years developing his skills in bio-construction, woodwork, and tree work. With the experience he gained throughout the first years of working side by side with treehouse master Philipp, he has now ventured off to set up TreeHouse Community UK – TreetopCo.
Sava
Sava is an experienced and professional climber from Berlin. He joins in on the most exciting treehouse projects while being dedicated to having fun at heights in the city and in its surrounding forests. He brings a lively and precise energy to the team.
Julie
The French architect on the team. Julie is always ready to design the next major treehouse, finding the balance between its stable foundation and intricate features. She strives towards sustainable designs and construction materials and incorporates these into her daily work while taking up new skills for treehouse building.
Christian
During the formative years of TreeHouse Community, Christian was and continues to be a naturally positive motivator always looking forward to the next adventure. He was part of the South Indian Cyclone Thane clean-up crew in 2012 and is a fully certified industrial climber. Over the years he has become a master at building tiny houses on the ground and up in the trees.
Sebastian
Over a decade ago, Sebastian travelled to India to conduct research on communities and sustainable technology. During this time he met Philipp and the techy German duo quickly delved into some experimental projects together. Sebastian's base is in Germany where he works as an inventor and engineer who specializes in developing ocean robotics for environmental research and community studies. He joins the treehouse team to initiate new designs.
Pedro
A lush talent with the guitar, climbing, and moving people. Pedro’s passion for nature, travel, and people brings him to the farthest tributaries of the South American continent. Back home in Brazil, Pedro represents THC Brazil and joins the international crew on bespoke treehouse projects.