Living in a Suspended Giant Bird’s Nest: Listening to Birdsongs and Coexisting with Nature—Biosphere
How long has it been since you stepped away from the city, blocking out the clamor of daily life, and entered a peaceful forest, surrounded by birdsong and the buzz of insects? When you breathe in the fresh forest air beneath the shade of trees, the experience of being in nature becomes an invaluable pleasure, especially after spending so much time in the concrete jungle. It’s time to give yourself a break—head to Treehotel in Harads, a village in northern Sweden, where you can experience a unique accommodation nestled among the pines. Here, you’ll feel as free as a bird, suspended above the ground, fully disconnected from the outside world, sharing the raw beauty of nature with your loved ones while quietly watching birds from your room.
In this tranquil forest, there is a particularly intriguing and eye-catching spherical structure suspended in the air, its facade adorned with 350 birdhouses of varying sizes. This is the "Biosphere," designed by Denmark’s renowned BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) in close collaboration with Swedish ornithologist Ulf Öhman. The eighth experimental room at Treehotel, this unique space is designed to protect the surrounding ecological habitat. Spanning only 32 square meters, it offers birdwatchers a rich visual feast, immersing them in the heart of nature for an intimate encounter with the wild.
Realizing a Dream: Creating a Unique Treehouse Experience
Treehotel is the realization of a dream for Swedish couple Kent Lindvall and Britta Jonsson-Lindvall, and a testament to their courage in pursuing an ambitious vision. The couple left their respective careers behind and returned to their hometown of Harads to open a hotel. During a fishing trip in Russia, they discussed the idea of building treehouses in the forest with three prominent Swedish designers—Bertil Harström, Thomas Sandell, and Mårten Cyren. Their conversation sparked interest, and soon they were developing plans for how to build a warm and welcoming tree hotel amidst the long, cold Swedish winters, while maintaining a harmonious relationship with the surrounding trees. Inspired by the sight of bird nests frequently found in the forest, they decided to use this as the conceptual prototype for their design, inviting world-renowned architects to design seven floating treehouses that would offer a perfect blend of modern aesthetics and nature conservation.
“We are very pleased to collaborate with the outstanding Nordic architecture firm BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), focusing on a future-oriented concept where the natural environment becomes an interactive part of the experience,” says Kent Lindvall, founder and co-owner of Treehotel. When the passionate founders of Treehotel met with the endlessly creative BIG team, their traditional ideas about treehouses were turned upside down. Faced with the harsh climate of northern Sweden’s forests, BIG used local wood and stone to design a space that not only stands out in terms of personality but also interacts well with the forest environment.
Measuring Architecture’s Interaction with Nature: Maintaining Harmony Between Humans and Birds
The facade of the "Biosphere" is covered with 350 birdhouses. To enter this unique room, guests must cross a suspension bridge that connects the ground with the treetop canopy. Inside, the simple yet functional room features dark interiors that seamlessly blend with the surrounding landscape, creating a soft and harmonious atmosphere. The space incorporates grid-patterned glass that adds an artistic layer of depth, allowing guests to focus on the natural environment and enjoy a 360-degree view of the forest. Depending on the local bird species and their activity, the birdhouses vary in size and distance, ensuring that sunlight can flow freely into the room without obstructing the expansive views.
BIG envisioned a way to immerse oneself in nature, and the idea of a spherical "swarm of nests" was born. After discussions with Ulf Öhman, chairman of the Norrbotten Ornithological Association, they learned that forestry practices had reduced the number of natural tree hollows where birds typically nest. Additionally, climate change has caused insects to multiply earlier in the year, meaning that by the time bird eggs hatch, the food source is already gone. Thus, Treehotel’s "Biosphere" is an important bridge between humans and nature, allowing guests to experience the vital role of bird nests and feeding in the wild, particularly during the winter months. The initiative also highlights the importance of bird conservation and may inspire visitors to implement similar measures at their own homes.
