BY: CHARLOTTE LEFAVE
Forget about leaving treehouses in the fond memories of your childhood. Now, on Vancouver Island, you can rent spherical treehouses that take camping to entirely new heights. The creators of the Free Spirit Spheres Resort believe in getting up close and personal with the breathtaking natural beauty of the Island. Equipped with loft beds, tables, cupboards and large windows to capture the stunning view, the pods are a comfortable way to take your adventure to the next level.
The floating pods are accessible by ladders and small bridges between the trees, giving them a distinctly fun treehouse aura that makes you feel like you’re 10 years old again. The insides, however, are nothing like the crass wooden structures from your childhood. Each Sphere is an example of brilliant engineering, incorporating a highly efficient use of space to accommodate the individual needs and wishes of the patrons.
The larger pods are equipped with a variety of modern comforts that everyone wishes they have while camping: a fridge, microwave, a plug-in speaker system, and running water. They are also electrically heated so wintertime renters can rest easy in those chilling months, as well as access to privacy and luxurious outdoor bathhouses.
Hanging over four metres in the air, the pods are suspended from three sturdy trees, given just enough slack to sway gently with the wind, rocking in a natural rhythm that soothes the mind and body. There are three Spheres currently open for use, each with its own unique name and design, and two more on the way. The fairytale-reminiscent pods were created by Tom Chudleigh, an innovative craftsman who spends his time trying out new ways to conceptualize his artistic passions.
The pods are nestled in the middle of ‘lighthouse country’ and are very close to Qualicum Beach and Horne Lake, where a variety of activities are available for the enjoyment of renters. The area is brimming with activity so residents of the Spheres have every opportunity to strike out and explore the dazzling Vancouver landscape.
Not only are the Spheres extremely aesthetically pleasing, they are also friendly on an environmental platform. The elegant cabins are environmentally sustainable and built to imitate their natural environment; for example the framework of the suspension wires imitates the stability and force distribution of a spider web. The sphere shape of the cabin represents a sense of uninterrupted wholeness as a representation of the harmony of nature, and is made of mostly wood, recycled materials and fiberglass. The smallest pod is built for up to two, being 9ft around, while the largest can accommodate up to three. The style is also accented with a professionally polished finish of varnished wood, strategically sealing the fabric seams and giving the Spheres a cozy cottage-like design.
The pods are also a wonderful source of inspiration and inner solace. Some people rent rooms to meditate in, others go to rest and recover, and others rent the Spheres to make a lifestyle change. Many refer to it as a magical getaway where they feel one with the nature that surrounds them. And what better way to submerge yourself in nature than by enjoying a couple of nights floating under a canopy of stars? But however they are used, there is no doubt that these unique inventions are a spectacular display of innovative genius and unrestrained creativity.
To rent one, you can contact Tom and Rosey Chudleigh at [email protected].
