Topos 103

to po s. no 103

2018

STORYTELLERS – A personal photographic quest to the wisest trees on earth 18

THE TREE CONSTRUCTOR – Architect Ferdinand Ludwig creates constructions with living plants

ISBN 978-3-7667-2388-8

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Trees

SLEEPING BEAUTIES – A million seeds hibernate in Svalbard to save the world’s biodiversity 70

Contents

THE BIG PICTURE

CURATED PRODUCTS

Page 8

Page 102

OPINION

REFERENCE

Page 10

Page 106

TALE NT VS. MASTERMIND

E DITOR’S PICK

Page 12

Page 108

METROPOLIS EXPLAINED

Page 14 NEXT STOP METRO FOREST

Page 44

BACKFLIP

Page 110 STORYTELLERS

THE INVISIBLE ENEMY

From weeping cherry tree to Tomb Raider roots: a photographic journey Page 18

In Italy a plant pathogen threatens olive trees Page 64 SLEEPING SEEDS

URBAN TREE AS PRODIGY

A plea for why we need trees in our cities Page 26

The Global Seed Vault in Svalbard: a back-up for the world’s biodiversity Page 70

FROM MELBS ’ ELM WITH LOVE

“OUR MISSION IS TO SECURE BIODIVERSITY”

How Melbourne’s Urban Forest Strategy brings citizens and trees together Page 32

An interview with Åsmund Asdal Page 72

THE TREE CONSTRUCTOR

Marina One and its rainforest in the heart of Singapore Page 74

ESCAPE PLAN

Page 112 FROM THE EDGES

Page 114 IMPRINT

Page 113

GREEN SURPRISE DRESSED IN BLACK

Ferdinand Ludwig – portrait of a pioneer Page 36 NEXT STOP METRO FOREST

How Bangkok follows the treetop path Page 44 LIVING WITH A GIANT

Pando: the single tree that is a forest Page 50 TREES: FACTS AND FIGURES

A WALK IN THE CLOUDS

Tree houses as objects of fascination Page 80 THE TREE AS MYTH

Reflections on a historical influencer Page 88 TREE PEOPLE FROM DYSTOPIA

Page 58

People’s tendency towards humanizing nature Page 94

GUARDIANS OF THE LAND

CONTRIBUTORS

How the people of Guabuliga fight climate change Page 60

Page 100

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GUARDIANS OF THE LAND

Page 60

OPINION

METROPOLIS EXPLAINED

“There is a palpable sense of relief at not being alone in this fight.”

Page 10

Joshua Bolchover on Hong Kong Page 14

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Storytellers From Adam and Eve’s Biblical expulsion from the Garden of Eden to Sir Isaac Newton’s inspiration to formulate the laws of gravity, the apple tree has certainly been a central character in stories that matter. Unlike Newton, Diane Cook and Len Jenshel cannot pinpoint a eureka moment that set their photography project, Wise Trees, into motion.

How several observations led to one of their most remarkable art pieces, and how it shows that each tree tells its own story and why we should listen to it.

DIANE COOK AND LEN JENSHEL

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Santa María del Tule, Oaxaca, Mexico: “El árbol del tule”, a Montezuma cypress or Taxodium mucronatum. Experts believe it is at least 1,200 years old – making it the oldest Montezuma Cypress in the world.

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The Tree Constructor Ferdinand Ludwig is a German architect and Professor for Green Technologies in Landscape Architecture at the Technical University of Munich. His research interest, which he initially developed while studying at the University of Stuttgart, concerns using trees’ natural constructive abilities for architectural purposes. This field, which he expanded and renewed, is called Baubotanik, translated in English as living plant constructions. Based on their research, Ludwig and his team at the TU Munich, as well as his partner architect Daniel Schönle, have been developing new ideas for preparing cities for a sustainable future and making them resilient to the challenges of climate change.

INTERVIEW: TANJA GALLENMÜLLER

topos: Mr. Ludwig, you are an architect. However, instead of working with bricks, concrete or wood, your construction material of choice are trees. Why? FERDINAND LUDWIG: I’m not only an architect but also someone who transcends boundaries. I studied architecture, but in the course of my Ph.D. research, which was largely concerned with botany and biomechanics, I moved quite a bit away from architectural topics. It was only later that I found my way back to architecture, the construction of

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The inosculation of stems, traditionally applied in horticulture for grafting, is one of the techniques used

by Baubotanik specialist Ferdinand Ludwig to artificially form structures made of trees.

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Located in a floodplain and surrounded by suburban housing, Bangkok’s Metro Forest can be observed from an elevated walkway system and viewing tower.

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Next Stop The Metro Forest Project features a habitat for various species of flora and fauna and an exhibition centre on a reclaimed site along Bangkok’s eastern urban fringe.

More than 60,000 trees were planted here, reminiscent of historic forest landscapes. The award-winning outdoor land art experience also enhances the urban quality of life of local communities.

Photo: (c) Rungkit Charoenwat

DANAI THAITAKOO, ASAN SUWANARIT & MINGKWAN NANTAVISAI

Metro Forest topos

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Living Pando is a single tree, albeit a tree that is a forest of growing international reputation. Five or six species of aspen (upland Populus) reach around the entire northern hemisphere between about 30°-65° north latitude.

They harbor vast amounts of biodiversity. As goes aspen, so goes dependent plants and animals; a cascading effect that may be exacerbated by a warming climate. Can the lessons learned – and answers derived – at Pando shine a light on global-scale aspen conservation?

PAUL C. ROGERS

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Photo: (c) Lance Oditt - Studio 47.60 North

We may imagine Pando as being a mirror; a reflection of our larger engagement with the planet we depend on.

But even a casual visitor can see that something appears to be awry. This forest seems to be made up of only mature trees, a sprawling portico of stems overtopping gaping voids.

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The Long before globalization began, plants were disseminated across the world, often accompanied by pests and diseases. The establishment of introduced species often led to economic, social, cultural, and environmental changes to our landscapes and their future development. In Italy, the imported bacterial plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa is killing ancient olive trees, endangering the cultural heritage and an important economic resource in this Southern European country.

RODRIGO ALMEIDA

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A farmer is setting fire to raked leaves after having cut away all the dead parts of his family’s olive trees near Felline, Ugento.

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Green Surprise The high-density building complex Marina One in Singapore hosts a public space that spans multiple storeys of a green oasis: even at high temperatures, it ensures a comfortable climate. The building can serve as a model for living and working in future metropolises, offering a contribution, especially for tropical regions that are facing tremendous challenges like growing populations and climate change.

EDDA OSTERTAG

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Photo: © HG Esch

The “Green Heart”, a tropical forest within the Marina One building, welcomes visitors and residents and creates a special atmosphere of light, shadow, and open-air climate.

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