But this fascinating structure is the result of students challenged to make a shelter using forest materials.
Budding designers Hugo Urrutia, Abdullah Omar Asghar Khan and Karjvit Rirermvanich spent five weeks planning, building and installing their creation.
Ecofriendly: The cocoon treehouse weaves between
trees is an eco-friendly design made from a timber that was felled in
the same forrest
The futuristic cocoon weaves between trees in Hooke Park near Beaminster, Dorset, suspended two metres above the forest floor by hemp ropes.
The eco-friendly tree house was milled from a five-metre section of cedar wood that had been felled in park’s 350-acre forest just days before.
The trio, from the Architectural Association School, in London, scoured the forest to find the perfect spot for their treehouse - and settled on an area of woodland in front of a clearing giving perfect views of the setting sun.
They then created a 12-piece skeleton before wrapping it in strands of plywood to create an amazing tunnel effect.
The 900lb cocoon took 20 people to carry it into position before it was hoisted off the ground under the forest canopy.
The unique design is the brainchild of a group
of students who set about making a cutting edge shelter from materials
found in Hooke Park near Beaminster, Dorse
Suspended and woven between three trees the cocoon took five weeks to plan, build and install
Budding designers Hugo Urrutia, Abdullah Omar
Asghar Khan and Karjvit Rirermvanich created a 12-piece skeleton before
wrapping it in strands of ply wood to create an amazing tunnel effect
'We wanted to figure out how to put a shelter in the trees without damaging them in any way.
'Eventually we came up with a way of suspending the shelter like a hammock with hemp rope.
Student designer Hugo, said: 'The best part is
that the entrance points to the setting sun so you can sit and watch the
sun go down.'
Craftsmanship: The students used cedar felled nearby in the same forest the cocoon was hung
The designers opted for series of rings 'wrapped' in planks of wood giving it a natural cocoon effect
'The Cocoon brings the visitor closer to the canopy of the trees and surrounding environment.
'Being part of the design of the Cocoon was a wonderful experience.
'Everyone loves a tree house - they evoke incredible memories of childhood.
Early stages: two of the designers hard at work with the early stages of the covering the wooden rings
Beginning to take shape: The sheer scale and final appearance of the structure begin to become apparent
Hanging day: It took the use of an industrial sized fork-lift truck to move the finished piece out from its design studio
'The smell inside is amazing and the untreated wood changes colour and shape as it ages.
'You can still feel a gentle breeze through the wood, and you really appreciate how light falls on it.
'The best part is that the entrance points to the setting sun so you can sit and watch the sun go down.'
But the last stretch of the journey had to be done using good old-fashioned manpower
Resting place: Ropes and pulleys were used to position the wooden cocoon suspended among three trees
