Living, Growing Architecture

November 21st, 2009 in Environment, Inspiration | 0 Comments | Leave a response

Root Bridges of India

Grown from the roots of a rubber tree, the Khasis people of Cherapunjee use betel-tree trunks, sliced down the middle and hollowed out, to create “root-guidance systems.” When they reach the other side of the river, they’re allowed to take root in the soil. Given enough time a sturdy, living bridge is produced.

Because the bridges are alive and still growing, they actually gain strength over time, and some of the ancient root bridges used daily by the people of the villages around Cherrapunjee may be well over 500 years old. Some can support the weight of 50 or more people at once.

The Vine Bridges of Iya Valley

To get across the Iya River that runs through the rough valley terrain, bandits, warriors and refugees created a very special – if slightly unsteady – bridge made of vines.

First, two Wisteria vines — one of the strongest vines known — were grown to extraordinary lengths from either side of the river. Once the vines had reached a sufficient length they were woven together with planking to create a pliable, durable and, most importantly, living piece of botanical engineering.

The Living Islands of the Uros People

The Uros peoples’ lives revolve around reeds. They make reed houses, reed boats, reed flower tea, and use reeds as medicine.

But most amazingly, the Uros build entire islands out of those very same reeds. It is the fact that these islands are alive that makes them work. The dense root structures of the living reed masses keeps the whole island together and floating on the lake.

Published in Environment, Inspiration

Tags: architecture, history, living, nature, organic, strange