It’s going to look like the scene of a fairy tale when it’s complete; it’s just going to take 80 years to get there. Ten Japanese cherry trees are going to create the most beautiful, whimsical retreat, looking as if it’s been plucked directly from the innards of an enchanted fable.
The Patient Gardener is what it’s been coined, and rightly so. I’m going to look like the elderly people in the rendering when it’s finally completed.
It’s the vision of a group of students and Swedish architects, Vision Division, and it’s currently growing on the Politencico di Milano campus, an architecture, design and engineering university in Milan, Italy.
The ten trees have been planted in a circle and will be controlled by being bent, pruned, twisted, braided and woven as they grow. The ground floor will be surrounded by a dome shape, and furniture will be crafted out of branches, tree stumps and grass. Two trees will be woven together to create a staircase that will lead to the first floor, where branches will be directed outwards to create walls.
The final shape of the natural-structure will be that of an hour glass – a fitting silhouette for the project. Instructions and a maintenance plan have been drawn out for future gardeners to sustain the design and ensure that it will be completed, so that in 80 years time the grandchildren of those involved will be able to enjoy the magical structure.
