In La Roche-en-Ardenne, this small black wooden house perched high above overlooks the Ourthe Valley. The ruins of the medieval castle stand out across the way. The setting is spectacular. But it’s the interior that really catches the eye. This treehouse in the Belgian Ardennes was designed by the architects at Hutstuf studio as a habitable micro-architecture. A space built around a simple principle: bringing the forest into every room, without ever sacrificing comfort.

Wood in every space of the treehouse


Everything starts with wood. Not only for the plywood partitions, but also for the furniture. The large solid oak dining table, the living room bench, it’s a material that lends weight, warmth, and a permanence that synthetic materials cannot replicate.

The glass walls overlook the Ardennes deciduous forest. In the morning, light filters through the branches. At night, the trees disappear into the darkness and the sky takes center stage.

The main bed facing the night sky


On the first level, like an almost enclosed sanctuary, you discover the large bed facing a skylight. You fall asleep under the stars. The effect is immediate: the ceiling seems to have vanished, and the cabin opens up to the infinite expanse of the sky.

A second bed, accessible by a ladder, occupies a mezzanine. There, too, you enjoy the aerial spectacle that changes with the hours.

Comfort features that don’t overlook beauty


The bathroom is both beautiful and comfortable. Its marble is paired with large windows overlooking the greenery. You shower while gazing at the landscape. The green marble contrasts with the light wood. The kitchen plays the same card of elegance and comfort. It is fully equipped and unobtrusive.

Outside: the sauna, the outdoor shower, the terrace


The outdoor deck extends the living space, it is a true living area. You can relax there on lounge chairs facing the valley to enjoy the scenery even more. But there is also a sauna and an outdoor shower. The view of the ruins of La Roche Castle is part of daily life. Its ancient stones have been there for centuries.

A lesson in well-utilized space


Hutstuf The Beaver occupies just a few square meters. Yet, nothing is missing. Verticality compensates for the limited floor space. The windows open each room up to the outdoors. This is exactly what we expect from good architecture: doing more with less, and making the space feel generous despite its limitations.

treehouse Hutstuf The Beaver in the Belgian ArdennesShare on Pinterest


treehouse Hutstuf The Beaver in the Belgian ArdennesShare on Pinterest




treehouse Hutstuf The Beaver in the Belgian ArdennesShare on Pinterest


treehouse Hutstuf The Beaver in the Belgian ArdennesShare on Pinterest


treehouse Hutstuf The Beaver in the Belgian ArdennesShare on Pinterest


treehouse Hutstuf The Beaver in the Belgian ArdennesShare on Pinterest


bathroom treehouse Hutstuf The Beaver in the Belgian ArdennesShare on Pinterest


black cabin Hutstuf The BeaverShare on Pinterest


outdoor shower and sauna black cabin Hutstuf The BeaverShare on Pinterest


terrace black cabin Hutstuf The BeaverShare on Pinterest


terrace black cabin Hutstuf The BeaverShare on Pinterest


black cabin Hutstuf The BeaverShare on Pinterest


black cabin Hutstuf The BeaverShare on Pinterest


black cabin Hutstuf The BeaverShare on Pinterest


black cabin Hutstuf The BeaverShare on Pinterest


black cabin Hutstuf The BeaverShare on Pinterest


This treehouse in the Belgian Ardennes is available to rent through Airbnb