Conner Prairie Treetop Outpost

Fishers, IN

Located in Conner Prairie’s interactive history park, this four-story structure and supporting architectural vignettes are designed to connect youth with the natural environment. As Indiana’s first Smithsonian affiliate, the Conner Prairie leadership desired to create a new outdoor exhibit to enhance the 1836-era themed Prairietown experience. The concept seemed simple: create a four story tree outpost in the forest with the idea of incorporating archeology, craft-making, and musical experiences, with nature as the foundation for these experiences.

Two children running on a wooden playground track in a lush green forest, with a wooden bridge structure featuring colorful panels behind them.
Wooden walkway in a lush green forest with children and adults exploring a nature park or trail, a suspended bridge with rope net railing leads to the right.
Kids playing in a forested park area with shaded raised wooden sand boxes, colorful structures, and a blue fabric canopy overhead, surrounded by tall trees and greenery.
Children and adult working in a woodworking workshop in a forest, with a sign that reads 'Treetop Workshop' above the entrance.
Floor plans for a treehouse and workshop, showing main level, upper level, lower level, and top level with labeled sections for performance, messenger flag send/receive, binoculars, exhibit/observation deck, suspension bridge, treetop workshop, and investigation nook.
Architectural elevations and sections of a treehouse from multiple angles, including views from east, north, west, south, as well as a workshop and entryway. The drawings show detailed structural features and construction elements.
Two children reading books while sitting on orange benches in a wooden reading nook in an open wood-framed structure surrounded by forest.
Close-up view of a beige rope net with a blurred outdoor background.
Close-up of a wooden railing on a porch and black steel turnbuckles with tree leaves in the background.
Looking up from the bottom of a treehouse staircase, showing wooden steps, railing, black steel cross bracing, and support beams, with trees visible in the background.

Photography

Lesle Lane of Studio 13