Kew Tree Top Walkway & Rhizotron / Marks Barfield Architects

Kew Tree Top Walkway & Rhizotron  / Marks Barfield Architects - Exterior Photography, HandrailKew Tree Top Walkway & Rhizotron  / Marks Barfield Architects - Exterior Photography, ForestKew Tree Top Walkway & Rhizotron  / Marks Barfield Architects - Image 4 of 15Kew Tree Top Walkway & Rhizotron  / Marks Barfield Architects - Exterior PhotographyKew Tree Top Walkway & Rhizotron  / Marks Barfield Architects - More Images+ 10

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Kew Tree Top Walkway & Rhizotron  / Marks Barfield Architects - Exterior Photography
© Peter Durant

Text description provided by the architects. Kew Garden's Tree Top Walkway opened on 24th May 2008, Kew’s Year of the Tree, to over 9,000 visitors. The Walkway is a thrilling experience, taking visitors 18m high into the tree canopies for a birds-eye view of Kew, providing insights into the special role of trees in our breathing planet and the intimate views of a deciduous woodland and its inhabitants from within the tranquillity of the leaves. Inspiration for the walkway was drawn from the ancient Fibonacci sequence found repeatedly in nature.

Kew Tree Top Walkway & Rhizotron  / Marks Barfield Architects - Image 8 of 15
© Peter Durant

In conjunction with the Walkway, an underground ‘Rhizotron’ exhibition space is attached and which explores various themes associated with tree root biology, climate change and the relationship between tree roots and microorganisms. Its appearance is inspired by a natural cracking within the earth to reveal a dark and dynamic space rich with exciting and educational content.

Kew Tree Top Walkway & Rhizotron  / Marks Barfield Architects - Image 11 of 15
Site Plan

Marks Barfield Architects designed the walkway to be a visually light, discreet presence, at ease in its natural surroundings; while at the same time being unashamedly man-made. They decided to integrate the structure with the handrail support and drew on the Fibonacci sequence, which underlies many growth patterns in nature. By using the progressive series of numbers associated with the sequence (1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34, etc), we were able to work to create a ‘Fibonacci grid’ along a typical walkway truss, resulting in a higher density of elements near the trussends where the vertical loads are highest.

Kew Tree Top Walkway & Rhizotron  / Marks Barfield Architects - Exterior Photography, Handrail
© Peter Durant

A major challenge was to strike a balance between enabling visitors to get as close as possible to the tree canopies and being mindful of the complex tree root system below ground. A radar survey was undertaken to understand the extent of tree root activity at the proposed pylon and pile foundation locations. This enabled strategic positioning of the 12-18m long concrete piles between the major roots ensuring safety and longevity for the tress and walkway.

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Project location

Address:Kew Gardens, Brentford Gate, London TW9 3AB, UK

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Kew Tree Top Walkway & Rhizotron / Marks Barfield Architects" 01 May 2014. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/500615/kew-tree-top-walkway-and-rhizotron-marks-barfield-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

© Peter Durant

英国,伦敦,邱园树顶人行道 / Marks Barfield Architects

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