Columba Tree House by Madeiguincho – A Wooden Sanctuary Among Centenary Pine Trees

Nestled in the serene landscape of Melides, Portugal, the Columba Tree House designed by Madeiguincho is a poetic response to nature, architecture, and memory. Completed in 2022, this 258-square-foot wooden retreat was conceived as a weekend shelter that immerses its resident in the presence of two monumental centenary pine trees.

Design Concept: A Dialogue with Nature

The client’s wish was simple yet profound: to live harmoniously within the trees without disturbing them. Instead of attaching the structure directly to the trunks, architect Gonçalo Marrote envisioned the house as a respectful bystander — a silent observer rising gently from the ground. Positioned carefully between the two trees, the tree house becomes both participant and witness in the timeless story of its natural setting.

By lifting the main platform 2.5 meters above ground, the design allows a shaded area at the base of the trees. This ground-level zone becomes an adaptable outdoor space for gathering, resting, or simply enjoying the cool shadow cast by the pines.

Architectural Expression

From a distance, the Columba Tree House appears as a suspended rectangular volume crafted from Japanese cedar bricks. Its form is crowned with a striking trapezoidal roof made of metal sheeting and cork, giving the structure a sculptural presence in the forest.

A staircase leads to a suspended balcony, which doubles as the main entrance. The cork-clad entry wall further reinforces the project’s material connection to nature. A discreet metal slope positioned alongside the stairs guides visitors on their way out, emphasizing both arrival and departure as part of the architectural journey.

Interior Atmosphere

Inside, the design embraces minimalism and climate responsiveness. Thin wooden shutters filter natural light, reducing solar heat in the scorching Alentejo summers while retaining warmth during cold winters. Despite the controlled lighting, the interiors offer a warm and textured experience, highlighting the tactile qualities of wood.

The compact plan includes a bathroom, kitchen, living area, and integrated storage — what the architects call the “minimum living structure.” Carefully placed Japanese cedar ladders lead upwards through a skylight to the bedroom.

The Cocoon Bedroom

The bedroom, a trapezoidal cocoon-like volume, is both intimate and expansive. A large skylight opens directly to the treetops, allowing occupants to contemplate the towering pines during the day and gaze at starlit skies at night. This feature also illuminates the trees externally, transforming them into a natural lantern visible from afar.

A side door connects the bedroom to the roof terrace, offering panoramic views of the Alentejo landscape and fostering a direct dialogue between architecture, occupant, and the century-old pine trees.

Materiality and Sustainability

The Columba Tree House celebrates wood as its primary material, echoing the surrounding forest. A variety of timbers — Japanese cedar, birchwood, thermowood, cork, and pine — were combined to craft an environment that is at once protective, tactile, and deeply connected to its context.

This diverse palette not only pays homage to the trees but also reinforces the sensory qualities of natural materials, reminding visitors of the origin and essence of architecture itself.

The Columba Tree House by Madeiguincho is more than a weekend retreat — it is a crafted experience of coexisting with nature. By blending minimalist living with a reverence for the centenary pines, the project reflects a sensitive approach to design that respects context, material honesty, and the human desire to dwell in harmony with the landscape.

All photographs are works of  João Carranca