Willow footbridge summer 2012. Image \u00a9 Ferdinand LudwigTimber buildings are regularly praised for their sustainability, as\u00a0carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere by the trees remains locked in the structure of the building. But what if you could go one better, to design buildings that not only lock in\u00a0carbon, but actively absorb carbon dioxide to strengthen their structure? In this article, originally published by the International Federation of Landscape Architects as “Baubotanik: Botanically Inspired Biodesign,” Ansel Oommen explores the theory and techniques of Baubotanik, a system of\u00a0building with live trees that attempts to do just that.Trees are the tall, quiet guardians of our human narrative. They spend their entire lives breathing for the planet, supporting vast ecosystems, all while providing key services in the form of food, shelter, and medicine. Their resilient boughs lift both the sky and our spirits. Their moss-aged grandeur stands testament to the shifting times, so much so, that to imagine a world without trees is to imagine a world without life.To move forward then, mankind must not only coexist with nature, but also be its active benefactor. In Germany, this alliance is found through Baubotanik, or Living Plant Constructions. Coined by architect, Dr. Ferdinand Ludwig, the practice was inspired by the ancient art of tree shaping.+8\u201cI came in touch with some historic examples of living architecture while I was studying [at the University of Stuttgart] and was fascinated from the first moment on,\u201d he explained. \u201cThe vision is a new way of integrating trees in architectural and urban design.\u201dAs the name suggests, when shaped through a variety of means via pruning, bending, grafting, or weaving, trees can become extraordinary works of innovation. Early examples of living root bridges in Meghalaya, India, and the pleached hedge fences of medieval Europe reveal their additional value in the built environment.Despite human intervention, this process can also occur in nature when trunks, roots, or branches in close proximity slowly fuse together. Known as inosculation, or approach grafting, it can arise within a single tree or neighboring trees of same or different species. Over time, as the limbs grow, they exert increasing pressure on each other, similar to the friction between two palms rubbed together. This causes the outer bark to slough off, exposing the inner tissue and allowing the vasculature of both trees to intermingle, in essence joining their lifeblood.Bookmark this picture! Series of sections through inosculation. Image \u00a9 Ferdinand LudwigLudwig\u2019s Baubotanik, however, goes one step further. By incorporating a vegetal component to metal scaffolding and other construction materials, a living, breathing building is formed. Over time, as the trees age, their fused joints continue to strengthen, providing further load bearing support. Indeed, the ability of growing trees to incorporate foreign materials such as metal and plastic highlights the potential of Baubotanikal structures in urban design.Bookmark this picture! Connection detail 2012. Image \u00a9 Ferdinand LudwigUnfortunately, not all tree species are suitable for such creative treatment. Ideal candidates must be flexible and vigorous with thin barks that can be easily grafted such as willow (Salix), sycamore\/plane tree (Platanus), poplar (Populus), birch (Betulus), and hornbeam (Carpinus).Ludwig elaborated, \u201cFor my PhD, I tested around 10 different species regarding their ability to inosculate. Plane tree, hornbeam, and beech joined very well and fast due to their thin, flaky bark. Those with a thick bark caused more problems when insoculated.\u201dSurprisingly, one top choice did not perform so well. \u201cWe used a lot of willows in the beginning due to their fast growth [and ease in propagation] from cuttings. However, we don\u2019t use them anymore because they are not long lasting and the connection points between the plant and technical elements tend to rot.\u201dEven so, his early creations of a three-story willow tower, an osier willow footbridge\u00a0and a silver willow bird watching station still stand, but not without some challenges.Bookmark this picture! Willow footbridge summer 2012. Image \u00a9 Ferdinand LudwigSix years after the inception of the willow tower, Ludwig noted, \u201cHeavy hailstorms, frost, fungal infections, and problems with the water quality all impacted on our growth predictions [for the fourth year], which fell behind expectations\u2014 a typical example of the influence of non-predictable factors.\u201dThankfully, Ludwig and his close team of collaborators were able to solve these problems through selective replanting and technical adaptations. As a result, they have developed a system to cut back and replant certain trees without affecting the overall vitality of the structure. This system of redundancy allows losses of up to 30% of the trees without any adverse effects, but becomes more difficult to maintain as the structure ages.Bookmark<\/p><\/blockquote>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.archiball.ru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/baubotanik_tower_after_completion.jpg?w=625\")
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