Bianca Woisetschläger - CarbonSync #555

Critical Comment – CabonSync

In my opinion is the proposal, called CarbonSync,  for the contest “designing the urban commons” from the landscape architects Edward Gant, Sarah Tolley, Arlene Decker and the business and marketing developer Rowan Case a good solution for a common problem not only in London but also for metropolises around the world. Due to our progress in the industry and our inalienability from motorised vehicles the air pollution in the world biggest cities deteriorated increasingly (e.g. environmental pollution Beijing). The founder of CarbonSync thought about a simple solution using the space from abandoned architectural landmarks (in the case of London the remains of the industrial age (18^th century) in England). They propose to repurpose this unused space and create a natural filtering system for the polluted air. “Urban forests will function as carbon sinks; absorbing carbon dioxide form the industrial processes of the city and converting it into oxygen to be used by the citizens”.  Moreover just planting urban forests, “CarbonSync intervention has the potential to produce multiple resources for local people and through collective ownership and management”.  Furthermore these spaces, used for different kind of spare time activities would lead to more social processes and provide access to multiple benefits, including the emotional and psychological benefits of nature within the city. 

However, is this project still in its infancy and is responding to a problem without design aspect. It is the first thought, the first approach in a lengthy process with great potential. I would like to think one step further and create an alternative live basis in this urban forests, for people who would like to change the world, protect the environment but still live near a city.

With treehouse a local community within the urban forests could be founded. By charity organisations funded and with natural materials constructed would the treehouses in the CabonSync offer space for different kind of people, organizations and businesses. They could live itself autonomously, regardless of the city but with constant positive aspect for it (improvement of the air, refuge for native animals, producing for local ecological products.)

There are many projects you can find related to building houses in trees without harming the nature and creating unique living space for people. One out of many great examples is a project from the award winning architecture group “Pacific Environment”

Yellow Treehouse Restaurant

At 10m wide and over 14m high with split-level floor sitting 10m above the ground, it is sustainably constructed from timber trusses forming the main structure and curved glue-laminated pine fins and poplar slats to give it form. Windows are created by leaving spaces between the slats/fins that keeps the overall form yet affords a variety of permability for the views and light. Access is via a 60m tree-top walkway – an adventure in itself.

The Architectural Inspiration largely came from the site -an open fairytale meadow and stream in the midst of a redwood forest plantation, understanding the nature of the tree/environment and the construction concerns about building sustainably in a living tree. An arborist advised on the best ways of looking after the tree’s health.

The Treehouse is designed and built sustainability, with all timbers from sustainable sources with extremely low ecological impact and footprint, and recyclable. The external vertical look comes from the rhythm of curved glue laminated timber fins of Pinus-Radiata, with Poplar battens ‘feathering’ between forming a permeable translucent skin. Acrylic sheeting forms the roof allowing sunlight to enter with the views for the diners to the treetops and stars in the nightsky. By day, the 14m high structure is a natural and organic part of the forest behind but by night it transforms into a glowing lantern.