Deep in the forests of Windermere, Canada, a small wooden perch known as the Birdhut sits quietly among the trees. Designed by Studio North, this miniature retreat lets guests quite literally sleep within the forest canopy. What makes it truly special? It’s not just a hut for people. It’s also a sanctuary for birds.
Before construction began, the designers created a simple rendering that captured their vision: a compact structure perched among the branches, blending seamlessly with the forest around it. Once built, the real Birdhut looked almost identical, only more charming in person.
On the hut’s whimsical facade, twelve birdhouses are built directly into the exterior walls. Each one is designed for a different species of bird that calls the Columbia Valley home. While the hut welcomes two human guests, it also provides nesting space for twelve varieties of birds, and any curious forest visitors that stop by. The effect is both practical and poetic: a building that humans and wildlife can share.
A small bridge and porch lead to the hut’s door, connecting it to the hillside. Sitting nine feet off the ground, the Birdhut rises to a peak of twenty feet, placing guests right at eye level with the treetops. It’s a quiet, elevated world where the only sounds are birdsong and wind through the branches.
The materials tell their own story. Much like birds gather twigs and moss to make a nest, Studio North foraged and reused materials from the surrounding landscape. The structure’s frame was built from lodgepole pines salvaged from a nearby forest that had recently been ravaged by fire. Its platform and cladding came from an old cabin deck, while the roof was made of clear 8mm polycarbonate panels that let sunlight flood the interior.
Thanks to its transparent roof, the hut is passively heated by the sun, functioning like a natural greenhouse. Inside, there’s just enough room for two people, and maybe a dog, to curl up for the night. Two circular windows, one at each end, keep the space airy and bright, while framing views of the forest beyond.
At its heart, the Birdhut is a gentle reminder that architecture can create connections rather than barriers. By inviting both humans and birds to share the same roof, Studio North designed something quietly radical, a structure that celebrates coexistence.
Whether you see it as a tiny house, a piece of environmental art, or simply a beautiful place to perch, the Birdhut captures something deeply Canadian: resilience, resourcefulness, and respect for the natural world. It’s a place to nest, not just for the birds, but for anyone looking to feel at home in the forest.