Puesta De Sol

This 1.2 level net in Asheville North Carolina started with a plan for a single platform. As we wove, the vision expanded. We pitched a second level to extend the seating / play area and give ample room to host movie nights with a projector and sunk in living room tree house vibes. 

The fist floor is super taught using our classic voronoi pattern of random weaving, in 7 triangles.

The upper level of this net features 3 sections with crocheted mandala centerpieces. The pattern continues out in a Fibonacci  spiral giving a softer less tense feel. The two levels are only offset by about 12 inches, and they are connected with an upward sloping ramp that is nearly flat due to the small differential between the platforms. This gives the tree net a very multidimensional appearance. 

The colors are inspired by a Blue Ridge Mountains Sunset. The floor of the net represents the mountain ridge; it features Lavender, Acid Purple, Light Blue, and Teal. The walls represent the sky of the setting sun, and are made up of hotter colors: Burnt Orange, Fuchsia, and Goldenrod. 

When we pitch a substantial budget and it gets approved we love to throw in bonus features like baskets or corner seats. On this net we ended up adding 3 custom baskets in unique locations. One is high up nestled in the corner, where the wall perimeter interacts with some small Beech tree branches. Another is a small pouch near where the 1.2 level platform meets a tree. And the 3rd and largest basket, which is suitable for holding large items like picnic goods from La Bodega by Curate, is located in the narrow space between the 1.2 Level platform and the front safety wall. 

This net also features a wide entry ramp with a shallow slope making it very easy and safe to walk up. It is connected to the base of two small saplings that are stalking the net. You can also enter the net via a 80’ zip line that begins just up the hill from the net. The best way to exit the net is by using the slide we installed on a wooden panel lashed to hover 3 inches below the tree net floor. You just hop out the orange portal and you are sliding down toward the main house.  We played with the placement of the slide to ensure the optimal speed of sliding. The Fibonacci pattern is repeated on the wall spiraling out from the slide entry portal. 

We also installed a swing, which is attached to the perimeter of the floor. The swing spins around in 360 degrees on a swivel, which gives another activation point for endless fun. The swing is a huge horizontal circle perfect for laying and gazing up at the trees and sky while having a great view of the happening the in the tree net 3 feet above. It is large enough for 2 kids. We coxcombed the perimeter of the swing with beautiful paracord detailing to maximize the aesthetics and luxury feel of the overall installation. (The real reason is that some playful bears stripped the swing of the foam that originally padded the metal frame, and it wouldn’t have looked right to leave the aluminum bare. There is a family of bears that does climb around on the net and has been video recorded with baby bears quite literally pushing each other around on the swing. The net itself is too robust for the bears to damage it, but they were able to compromise the original form of the swing.)

We used webbing in one of the vertical wall panels, which creates a climbable wall. The webbing makes it more comfortable on the feetsies and handsies for the young monkeys. This inspired us to add climbing holds to the adjacent tree creating a climbing area in one corner of the net. 

Overall this installation is one of our proudest yet. The aesthetics are very well designed, and it is the most heavily adorned playground we have created in terms of fun add-ons. 

Click here to check out the Instagram post for this Tree Weaves Installation! If you ever take photos of this net and share them on Instagram or Twitter, be sure to use the hashtag #PuestaDeSolTreeWeave