Characterizing Regenerative Aspects of Living Root Bridges

Abstract

Living root bridges (LRBs) are functional load-bearing structures grown from Ficus elastica by rural Khasi and Jaintia communities in Meghalaya (India). Formed without contemporary engineering design tools, they are a unique example of vernacular living architecture. The main objective of this study is to investigate to what extent LRBs can be seen as an example of regenerative design. The term "regenerative" describes processes that renew the resources necessary for their function. Whole systems thinking underpins regenerative design, in which the integration of human and non-human systems improves resilience. We adapted the living environments in natural, social, and economic systems (LENSES) framework (living environments in natural, social, and economic systems) to reflect the holistic, integrated systems present in LRBs. The regenerative / sustainable / degenerative scale provided by LENSES Rubrics is applied to 27 focal points in nine flow groups. Twenty-two of these points come from LENSES directly, while five were created by the authors, as advised by the LENSES framework. Our results show 10 focal points in which LRBs are unambiguously regenerative. One focal point is unambiguously sustainable, while 16 are ambiguous, showing regenerative, sustainable, and degenerative aspects. User perspective determines how some focal points are evaluated. The contrast between a local, indigenous perspective and a global, tourism-focused perspective is demonstrated by the results.

Creating ecologically sound buildings by integrating ecology, architecture and computational design

“…Similar to landscape urbanism, regenerative design is conceptually based on the book of McHarg (1969). Yet, regenerative design seeks to engender human systems that can coevolve with natural systems, that is, evolve in a way that generates mutual benefits and greater overall resilience (Mang & Reed, 2020; Middleton et al, 2020). Regenerative design (and comparable approaches such as eco‐positive design [Birkeland, 2020]), does not focus on minimizing the ecological footprint of construction, but aims to improve the ecological conditions.…”

Conjoining Trees for the Provision of Living Architecture in Future Cities: A Long-Term Inosculation Study

“…For instance, living root bridges are functional load-bearing structures grown from Ficus elastica roots by rural Khasi and Jaintia communities in Meghalaya (India) ( Figure 1 c,d). Formed with no tools of contemporary engineering design, they are a unique example of vernacular living architecture [ 17 , 18 ]. The German Tanzlinden (“dancing lime trees”) are examples of shaping trees to create broad and accessible canopies under which social gatherings can take place [ 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Representing living architecture through skeleton reconstruction from point clouds

“…This study focuses on Meghalaya’s living root bridges (LRBs) and contemporary ‘Baubotanik’ structures. In their pilot study Ludwig et al 3 describe 75 of Meghalaya’s LRBs, as well as ladders, platforms and pathways, which form transport networks and cultural heritage sites for rural and urban communities 5 . LRBs are grown from Ficus elastica aerial roots and are mainly situated on steep slopes in deep valleys and dense forests.…”

“…Yoshinoa and Okardab 24 recreate a Melaleuca specimen by informing a simulation model with photogrammetry-derived growth parameters. Changes in living architecture, including growth, senescence, epiphyte presence, and maintenance require more regular documentation than in heritage architecture 5 . Therefore, a tool that can be used regularly by the communities who grow and own living architecture, is easy to transport, is low cost, and requires little training, is preferred.…”