The very organisms that help produce clean air in cities are unfortunately treated with little respect. The Accompany with Tree concept was developed in reaction to the way urban trees are constricted by unyielding metal grates in the sidewalk, causing them great difficulty and damage as they attempt to grow.
Park Youngsu, Lee Chunho, Lee Junghyun and Choi Ujin of South Korea submitted this proposal to the 2011 Red Dot Design Awards as a clever solution to strangled tree trunks. The group decided to keep the conventional rolled steel plate but make it significantly broader. Still addressing the need to keep the soil covered in such an exposed environment, Accompany with Tree comprises a ring of rubber flaps which continue to embrace the base of the tree while allowing it to expand outwards and upwards.
Rubber Arboreal Skirting
Accompany with Tree Provides a Flexible Grid for Growing Urban Trees
Trend Themes
1. Flexible Tree Skirting - The use of rubber flaps as a flexible grid for growing urban trees offers a disruptive innovation opportunity in urban landscaping.
2. Tree-friendly Infrastructure - Designing infrastructure that accommodates the growth of trees without constricting them presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in improving urban ecosystems.
3. Nature-based Solutions for Urban Trees - Exploring innovative materials and designs, such as rubber arboreal skirting, to support the growth and health of urban trees provides a disruptive innovation opportunity in sustainable urban development.
Industry Implications
1. Urban Landscaping - Urban landscapers can incorporate rubber flaps as part of their infrastructure design to create a more supportive and tree-friendly environment.
2. Architecture and Design - Architects and designers can explore new materials and techniques, like rubber flaps, to enhance the integration of trees in urban settings.
3. Environmental Conservation - Environmental organizations can promote the use of nature-based solutions, like rubber arboreal skirting, to foster the growth and preservation of urban trees.