The Treehouse Project
created by Elise Truchan
In 2015 I began my treehouse project which turned into much more than a simple treehouse. After a month of designing and two months of building in the bitter Pittsburgh winter, with help from my dad, I created my dream: a two story treehouse. This project was extremely ambitious and challenged my designing and building skills. From doing calculations of weight bearing wood to taking into consideration the natural structure of the tree, I was able to create this wonder in the sky.
Yet, after a month of having the treehouse finished, a neighbor decided to complain about the structure. Despite breaking no laws or ordinances after extensive research, my treehouse was being called into question. The story hit the news, national and international, in the papers and on television. I did an interview for Fox News in their studio as local new stations came and visited the treehouse.
After much deliberation by local authorities, there was a hearing. Yet, one member of the council who would decide the fate of the treehouse chose to go on vacation that day. Therefore, it was decided that I would have to remove the treehouse by the end of the year. Images of the structure and the news can be found below. This project exceeds a simple structure and found its way to inspire my Girl Scout Gold Award project with a Treehouse Building Class at my local high school.
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