November 01, 2024
Studio Part, a Belgian design studio, has designed an innovative metal mould called Tenir that can shape willow trees into strong benches. Tenir, which means ‘to hold’ or ‘to hold on to’ in French, was designed to direct the growth of young willow trees and their branches, enabling them to interlace and take the shape of a bench. Tenir is developed using stainless steel and possesses inlays made of rubber. It supports the willow trees for around three years until the trees have grown and acquired the shape of a bench. It is then demounted, allowing the bench-shaped tree to be used by people.
DID YOU KNOW?
Willows include both trees and shrubs and over 300 willow species exist.
Image Source: Studio Part
ACTIVITY: Clean Green Design
Create a concept chair that uses the living roots of a banyan tree or the trunk of a tree.
