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Explore this Grown Up Tree House

A fun-loving husband-and-wife duo crafts a timeless family retreat with an adventurous soul.

Written by Suzanna Logan

Photography courtesy of Timberlyne


If walls could talk, John and Lisa Owen’s house might just confess to having a split personality — and proudly so. 

At its core, the timber home is a quintessential mountain getaway, perfectly suited to its location mere minutes from Montana’s popular Glacier National Park. From the outside, the natural materials and post-and-beam beauty exude rustic charm, while the interiors unfold as a refined mountain-style showplace. But this is where the expected both begins and ends.

Within this framework of a classic mountain retreat, a surprising aesthetic emerges — a playful blend of island vibes mixed with tree house whimsy. Think dude ranch meets Swiss Family Robinson. This unusual fusion was the result of a focused vision, curated over several years. 

“We’ve been visiting the area for 35 years,” shares John, a long-time Alabama resident. A love of hiking, skiing and the natural beauty of the land beckoned the family for annual vacations again and again. Eventually, they set their sights on owning a place of their own. “We bought this piece of property a few years ago and knew we would build someday,” he says. 

The couple began collecting ideas for what they hoped would be a family gathering place for their two now-grown children and expanding brood of grandkids. After decades of renting traditional mountain homes — and building six houses of their own over the years — John and Lisa embraced an out-of-the-box approach. “We wanted something fun, something different,” says John. They achieved both in spades.

With their affinity for the unconventional, the couple created a layout centered around three distinct but connected timber structures that tap into a multi-generational, globally inspired ethos while ensuring plenty of space and privacy for everyone. The central segment, which contains John and Lisa’s primary suite, is flanked by two mirrored wings for the couple’s children and their families. Each cabin includes three bedrooms, a bathroom and a communal living area.

The central house also serves as the gathering hub, offering spaces for all ages to come together (or spread out) across three levels. On the main floor, an open-concept kitchen, dining and living area is outfitted with linger-longer features, like a cozy fireplace, comfortable seating and a beverage bar. Above, a second-story loft doubles as a casual recreation room for the grandkids and a segue to the crowning feature of the home — a third-story lookout room, dubbed “the Eagle’s Nest,” from which the getaway takes its name. “When you are up there, you get a full 360-degree view of the mountains,” John enthuses.

Taking the home to new heights (literally), each of the three sections is set atop concrete piers, elevating them roughly 15 feet above the ground. “We lived in the Florida Keys for years where most of the houses are raised off the ground,” explains John. 

While the idea may have been inspired by island living, the effect is the stuff of nostalgic childhood memories. “They took some cues typically found near the water and applied them to the forest,” explains Cody Wortmann, executive director of marketing for Timberlyne, the timber frame outfit the Owens collaborated with on the project. “You really get the sense of being suspended in the treetops, just like a tree house.” 

To pull off the unusual design, the home required “extensive engineering,” affirms Ryan Johnston of Flatout Build Group, who spearheaded drawing up the plans and the home’s construction. Located in a seismic zone and in the base of a canyon with winds commonly reaching upwards of 60 mph, the structure had to be carefully engineered to adhere to stringent local codes. 

Ryan points to the 26 columns underneath the house, which are roughly 6-by-18-inches thick with some up to 3 feet in diameter and are reinforced with rebar. “We had to consider the extensive weight of the timber frame and engineered the floor structure to accommodate all the load-bearing points,” he says. He says the height of the home was also carefully considered in light of the heavy winds.  

A few other whimsical details capture the fun-loving soul of the project. Cable-and-rope bridges offer access between the trio of buildings. “They remind you of a suspension-bridge tour in the jungle,” says Cody. For those who prefer a little less adventure (and exposure to the weather), glass-encased breezeways also connect the buildings. 

In addition to the unique walkways, a rope climb, a collection of suspended and freestanding swings and a twisting slide off the deck add to the home’s playful appeal, to the delight of both the young and young at heart. “John and Lisa say that the slide off the deck is, by far, the most used feature of the whole home,” shares Cody with a laugh. “There’s no doubt this place was built for a family who loves a good time.” 


Home Details

Square Footage: 4,250

Bedrooms: 7

Baths: 3 Full

Timber Provider: Timberlyne

Builder/Designer: Flatout Build Group


See Also: A Sustainable North Carolina Timber Frame


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