Atherton Treehouse

Atherton Treehouse: The goal was to design a play structure that incorporated the trees, tucked into this corner of the yard, that wouldn't overwhelm but would be big enough for the many grandchildren that visit every year.

Barbara's "stickout" (above) and Artist's Sketch (below) shows the ultimate design the client's settled on: King Fort up front, bridge to the back, passing by the sapling, up to the Clubhouse perched on a tree deck 9' off the ground, with steps down to a Zip Line ride "take-off" platform.

Swinging Bridge leading up to the Tree Perch...

Great Zip Line Ride:

fun for grandchildren and grandfathers!

Zip Lines!

We've done tons of ziplines and I never get tired of them! Each one presents a different challenge because the trees, the distance and the slope are always different. My ideal backyard zip line ride goes between two trees and involves jumping off of a tree perch to start the ride.
Here's the process on one we did recently. Jeff Beal (my partner in work and love) and I usually scope out the yard together, selecting the best trees for the zipline ride. When we narrow it down to one spot, we then set up a temporary zip line ride to make sure it will really work.

We both ride it many many times, adjusting it to come up with a fast fun and super safe ride. The temporary set up also lets me design the take-off tree perch.

A bit of quick photo shop and then I paint right on the photo. That way the family can get an idea of what I want to build! While I work on the tree perch, Jeff concentrates on installing the zipline. We use heavy-duty rescue-grade cable and trolleys so that adults as well as kids can ride the zipline. Here's the perch almost done.

We did a similar zipline & perch in LA. I like how simple and sturdy this design is.

This zip line ride is fairly short but it's thrilling! We've done zipline as short as 40 feet and as long as long as 160 feet. Here's a link to a video of Jeff and I doing the test zipline for this project: http://vimeo.com/13233381

 More on ziplines next week!

About Will Pratt, Builder/Installer

Will Pratt: Expert Builder/Installer
Duties:
- Fabricates treehouses & play structures
- Travels to sites & participates in installations
- Keeps everyone amused with antics
About Will:
- 2nd youngest crew member
- Recently moved to Brooklyn, NY with his girlfriend
- but still signs on for East Coast Installations
- Plays Banjo / member of Jazz band
- Recycling advocate & Bike enthusiast


More about Will...

Will's the kind of guy that when he digs a giant post hole, he can't resist trying it on for fit...










He's interested in new ideas and likes to work on the challenging projects, like hanging these "winder steps" from the underside of a giant deck using rope covered cable.









And like all the guys, he loves testing out the Zip Line Rides - the faster the better. It's hard work and all fun when installing a treehouse on site!










Will and Marco take a break to admirer their handiwork and (in this case) enjoy watching the fun that the new kid "owners" are having on their first adventure through their treehouse.


The kids have to stay back during the installations and can only watch from a distance. It's a riot when they finally get the go ahead to play!



Jeff, Will and Marco on a prior installation - the same expert crew working with Barbara this week on the Long Island Treehouse.

Barbara promises to send pictures!

Hillside Tree Forts: 4 tree forts plus a Zip Line Ride!

We had a great time installing this tree fort on a steep yard in Santa Barbara. It's comprised of 4 different forts. 2 are connected by a bridge. it's made for lots of running around & climbing. Great zip line between the trees too!

Zip line without trees!

Check out our new zipline structure for folks without trees. Jeff and I have wanted to do this for a long time. Finally we got the chance to put our ideas to the test. It's working great!

The starting point needed to be pretty high. I thought staining it green would make it make it not stand out as much...I'm not sure that worked but the family didn't mind. Some people have commented that it looks like a guillotine...














We faced the metal posts with redwood - that took a lot longer than we thought it would.
















The view of the ending doorway is hidden from the house by the small tree.