17 houses that prove you don't have to cut down trees to build something (32 photos)

Most architects cut down trees mercilessly to make way for buildings. But fortunately, there are creative architects who have decided not to cut down trees and instead masterfully incorporate them into their home design.

Saruhan Bey Science, Culture and Education Foundation, Türkiye

When Turkish authorities said the 325-year-old pine tree couldn't be cut down to make room, the architects found a loophole... or two. Ancient tree branches pass through the building's balconies and roof

House among the trees by Martin Fernandez de Lem and Nicolas Moreno Deutsch

Built in 2007, this house is located in Mar Azul, a small coastal village in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The architects tried very hard to make the house look like part of the forest.

The Yellow Tree House Restaurant, by Peter Ising and Lucy Gauntlett

If you've ever wanted to get closer to nature while dining, then this New Zealand restaurant is the place to be.

Three Trees House, Jeremy Levine

“The existing house was overgrown with large trees, both outside and inside. We decided to include them in the design and added walls around them,” said the designer

Tree in the house, Aibek Almazova

When a client came to architect Aibek Almazov with a request to build a house in the mountains of Kazakhstan, the architect decided to create a new type of tree house. Instead of sitting on the branches, the house turns out to be completely “wrapped” around the pine tree

HemLoft House, Joel Allen

Resembling a dewdrop, this secret treehouse hangs on a cliffside in Whistler, Canada.

Fuji Kindergarten by Tezuka Architects

Designed by Yui and Takaharu Tezuka, this glass and timber house was built around a 50-year-old tree, creating a beautiful indoor garden and play space for children

Bethany Tree House, Alessandro Sartore

The tree, called Bethany by the homeowner, grows right in the middle of the house, connecting the living room, dining room and kitchen

Niavaran Palace, Mohammad Reza Nikbakht

Niavaran Palace is located in northern Tehran in Shemiran, a region known as a summer resort due to its majestic ancient trees and numerous gardens.

Restaurant "Cook", by architects from Noses Architects

There is a tree growing right in the middle of a restaurant in Rome, separated from visitors by glass.

Casa del Bosque, from the architects from NDE Renda

This Paraguayan garage's canopy is supported by wood and three brick walls.

Tree house from Alnwick Gardens architects

This tree house in the UK is one of the most magical and unique restaurants you can find in the world.

Playhouse "Maud", by Bion Pankratz

This modern play house is much better than those boards nailed to a tree that we used to call a “tree house”

25 Verde, Luciano Pia

This apartment building in Turin, Italy, features so many beautiful trees that it's hard to tell where the forest ends and the house begins.

Chrysalis Residence, from architects from WholeTrees

Real trees were included in the design of this Wisconsin home; they may not all still be alive, but they were all on the site when the house was built. They add drama and natural elements to a design that makes you feel like a squirrel.

Jack Latner's Hollywood Hills House, by Aaron Neubert Architects

An impressive 70-year-old sycamore tree grows inside this California home. A tree trunk grows from the floor and stretches to the roof of the building

House on the Oak, Andreas Wenning

Built 11 meters off the ground, this tree house lovingly hugs a big old oak tree