Eco-Homes

Eco-Homes

In the lower southern slopes of the Khasi and Jaintia hills of Northeastern India, a species of elastic trees, Ficus Elastica, grows across rivers and is used as a reliable bridge for the War-Khasai people. The bridge continues to grow as the long, thin tendrils weave through each other to create a surface walkable for over a hundred feet. These bridges take about 10-15 years grow, but can last for over 500 years as they grow stronger over time.

http://www.earthporm.com/indian-tribe-masters-art-weaving-living-root-bridges/

This plant, or a different type of plant species with similar self-growing properties, could be applied to building an all-natural, self-enforcing Eco-home that grows stronger over time forming a symbiotic relationship with the natural world. Eco-homes would be built with an original wood frame similar to that of a modern home, but with significantly less material. This would serve as a guiding structure for the vines to grow on, as well as provide an inner-protective layer between the growing branches and the interior home. Additionally, building a thin frame for the inner-layer would allow for an interior aesthetic appeal, making the Eco-home comfortable and livable by today’s standards. These homes would most likely benefit people in areas with a warmer climate, considering the complexity of integrating a heating system in a cooler location. Ideally the Eco-home system could eventually be applied to homes in other climates as well, as innovation spurs and creates ways to adapt our modern lifestyles to a sustainable and natural realm.