A Dream Built Among the Trees
The Baltic @ Fort Treehouse
Nestled in the serene landscapes of the Haliburton Highlands, Fort Treehouse stands as a testament to the power of nature and innovative design. Co-founded by Lauren and her husband, Cam, this remarkable venture offers a unique blend of hospitality and construction design, creating a treehouse experience that reconnects guests with nature while maintaining sustainable building practices.
The couple’s vision goes beyond merely providing a place to stay; they aim to offer a sanctuary where visitors can escape the chaos of everyday life and immerse themselves in the tranquility of the forest. By integrating sustainable methods with a passion for design, Fort Treehouse not only enhances the natural environment but also enriches the lives of those who visit.
Inspiration and Beginnings
The inspiration for Fort Treehouse Company stems from Cam’s childhood love for design and building. “Cam always loved to putter around with design and build, using found objects to create spaces in nature,” Lauren shares. His creativity and knack for using whatever materials he could find laid the groundwork for his future endeavors.
This passion eventually led Cam to take a sustainable treehouse building course in Vermont, which laid the foundation for their business. “It’s called sustainable treehouse design because it requires you to work with the natural life cycle of a tree,” Lauren adds. This course not only provided the technical skills needed but also instilled a deeper understanding of how to create structures that coexist harmoniously with nature.
bed with a view
Passion for the Outdoors
The location of Haliburton Highlands plays a crucial role in the business. “The Highlands are incredibly important to our location because there is so much beauty in every single season,” says Lauren. The area’s natural charm inspired both Lauren and Cam to establish their business here, providing guests with an opportunity to connect deeply with nature.
Lauren’s passion for the outdoors grew as she spent more time in Haliburton. She recounts how Cam, who felt most comfortable in nature, helped her rediscover the joy of connecting with the Earth. “I was a city person before I came here, and I really rediscovered just sort of the joy and the feeling that comes with being connected with the Earth,” Lauren reflects.
Creating a Meaningful Impact
Fort Treehouse is a fusion of Cam’s building passion and Lauren’s interest in experiential travel and Scandinavian design. Lauren describes the realization of their combined dream: “We could actually do something together that allowed Cam to hone in on his creative building and design skills, and I could craft this experience for people that would leave them with an everlasting memory.”
Their mission is clear: reconnecting humans with nature. Lauren emphasizes the importance of providing spaces that allow guests to reset and decompress. “We’ve created a space that doesn’t allow for constant connectivity. They just decompress you the second you walk in the door,” she explains.
Connecting with nature
Sustainability, Community and Partnerships
Sustainability is a cornerstone of Fort Treehouse. The business prides itself on its low-impact building practices and off-grid technologies. “Our project, Hårtwood, is fully off-grid, with a massive solar energy system that powers all of our treehouses,” Lauren states. Additionally, the treehouses feature green roofs designed with local flora and fauna, furthering their commitment to sustainability.
Community presence and collaboration are vital to the company’s success. Fort Treehouse has partnered with local and national businesses to enhance their offerings. Notably, they have teamed up with Swede Kitchens and Obasan to provide high-quality, sustainable furnishings. “We are really excited to be working with Swede Kitchens. They’re doing all of our kitchens and millwork at our new project,” Lauren shares.
The Fort Way
Looking ahead, Lauren and Cam envision expanding their unique treehouse hotels across the country, each designed to showcase different landscapes. “We hope to open a number of these micro-hotels across the country, exploring what it looks like to build in different landscapes,” says Lauren.
The ethos behind Fort Treehouse is simple yet profound: to create and protect places for future generations. “We are trying to create and protect a place so that future generations can return and experience something more than we can right now,” Lauren explains. This commitment to sustainability and nature is the driving force behind every project.
Wood burning hot tub
To find more succuss stories in the Haliburton Highlands click here.
regenerative design
Focus on outside
the Baltic’s Deck
The Baltic
Wood burning hot tub
Connecting with nature