Living Infrastructure

500 years ago tribesmen of Nongriat in Meghalaya, India learned to train the roots of the ficus elastic rubber tree guided by hollowed out betel nut trunks to form passes across the wild river below.

Once the roots make their way across the water to the opposite bank, they take hold. Here, they continue to grow and strengthen, not only stabilizing the bridge platform, but also reinforcing the bank walls. The full cycle of bridge-growing may take ten to fifteen years to complete, necessitating the locals’ aboricultural knowledge to be passed on from older to younger generations, who will, perhaps, personally continue the former’s work.

These bridges are strong enough to support the weight of 50 people!

Architizer Blog Via Notcot