Growing cities, a TedX talk to envision greener cities

If we can't make the forests our home, let's  make our homes a forest!

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2017, Year when Hyper-Tree takes-off?

. Project Name 

Hyper-Tree

. What is the Hyper-Tree process?

Build architecture with living trees: we can obtain a tree of *any* shape and *any* size within an estimated 3 years

. Why build with living trees? 

Cities are where we live, and where the pollution is -> cities are where we should plant forests to clear the air and mitigate climate changes.

There is scarcely any other space left than buildings: on their roofs and skins...

. Our scope of work

We imagine, design, build and manage Hyper-Trees -> buildings built partially or in their entirety with living trees. 

. Current actions (2017):

- build a tree nursery

- plant collaboratively Bangkok's first vertical forest

- product development: "Roof Shelter Kit"

. Any link to your project website?

https://www.facebook.com/HyperTreeProject/

. Is there a prototype yet?

 We are currently discussing with potential partners and growing the trees we'll use for these first prototypes, somewhere in 2018-2020

How to grow a pre-fab tree for construction?

With a pre-fabricated assembly system, we can grow a tree of any size or shape within 2 to 3 years. That makes tree construction schedules comparable to that of techniques used nowadays, when you need 2,5 to 3 years to build a condominium.

How does it work?

1. Pre-cast your tree in a shape suitable for assemble (brick, panel, beam...)

2. Assemble to desired shape

3. Tightly hold elements together until they bond

4. Make sure they stay alive in the meantime...

5. Remove temporary structure used to hold elements together

6. Clip extra growth or let it thrive!

I know this may not be readily clear, lets get a few illustrations on this process:

1. Pre-cast your tree in a shape suitable for assemble (brick, panel, beam...)

2. Assemble to desired shape

3. Tightly hold elements together until they bond

4. Make sure they stay alive in the meantime...

5. Remove temporary structure used to hold elements together

...and voila!

6a. Clip extra growth

 6b. Let it thrive!

Easy! :D

When you can build a tree with the shape you want, what can you do with it ?

Thanks to the speed of the whole process, 2 to 3 years, building Hyper-Trees opens a series of new applications to living trees. Applications that live and keep growing!

If we consider the natural structural strength of trees, and the power of their roots to hold the particles where they grow, we can think of replacing concrete in sensitive natural environments:

. flood protection barrier along rivers

. erosion control blanket to prevent landslides

. planting on unsightly cliffs after human exploitation

Axel Erlandson, pionner

Hyper-Tree project will first focus on architectural applications: create an architecture suitable for the tropics, friendly to the environment, that helps humanity reconnect with Nature.

Axel Erlandson's 8 sycamores, fused 

What sort of architecture can we build with pre-fab trees ?
We can build Hyper-Trees to be the skin of high-rise buildings. This living tree skin will protect the building from solar heat. However high you are inside the building, you view the world through a forest, a vertical forest! There can be paths and bridges in this vertical forest, for maintenance purposes, but also to arrange balconies, public spaces, belvederes, lounges and other leisure spaces such as galleries and small shops, restaurants and cafes, etc...

Other architectural purposes that come to mind are waterproof canopies that protect public space below. A canopy shaped Hyper-Tree lets the air flow underneath and provides shade and coolness at ground level, sheltering human activities from harsh tropical sun: market space, classrooms, office space, workshops for light industry, storage... On top of the canopy, trees grow, and we can organize public parks there, with different outdoor commercial activities such as restaurants, cafes, etc…

 Espaliered fruit trees