Web-Like Treetop Science Lab Floats High Above Brazil’s Rainforest Canopy

Architecture student <a href="http://pr2012.aaschool.ac.uk/students/Yi_Yvonne-Weng">Yi Yvonne Weng</a> has conceptualized these amazing web-like structures that could be built atop the Brazilian forest to serve as infrastructure for scientific studies. Called "<a href="http://pr2012.aaschool.ac.uk/students/Yi_Yvonne-Weng">The 6th Layer – Explorative Canopy Trail</a>,” the design features light-weight, vertical structures with a high density webbing which fans out to become a platform on which researchers and eco-tourists can traverse the tree tops. Yi's work has earned her recognition as a recipient of the <a href="http://www.fosterandpartners.com/News/474/Default.aspx">2012 Foster + Partners Prize</a> for excellence in sustainability and infrastructure.

The concept includes <a href="http://inhabitat.com/spiral-garden-is-a-lacy-mesh-vertical-farm-for-the-city/">webbed mesh</a> in three densities, the least dense of which contain metal rods for structural support. The mid-layer has a medium density so that birds can easily pass through. The most dense layer is strong to support walking paths.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/water-building-resort-will-convert-air-into-purified-water/">tear-drop shaped</a> hanging mesh lowers from the tree tops at specific heights for plants specimen collection. Each has an internal ladder system.

The mesh city in the trees has a main purpose to be a site for studying the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/guests-can-sleep-among-the-trees-in-perus-posadas-amazonas-jungle-lodge/">Amazon Rainforest</a>, so it is proposed to containing a research lab and and area for production processing. The site would also provide accommodation for <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/eco-tourism/">eco-tourists</a>, and includes space for two units with basic amenities.

Weng takes an interesting stance on how populating the tree tops could benefit the ecosystem by providing a surveillance system to protect it. “...the positive occupation of the territory it enables could provide a level of surveillance that helps to protect both the endangered environment and the indigenous population,” says Weng.

The project was created during Weng's fifth year diploma course at <a href="http://pr2012.aaschool.ac.uk/students/Yi_Yvonne-Weng">Architectural Association School of Architecture</a>. Brett Steele, Director of the program says "The work of this year’s winner indicates the enthusiasm and imagination shown by AA Diploma students in addressing challenging, topical issues in architecture."

Weng is recipient of the <a href="http://www.fosterandpartners.com/News/474/Default.aspx">2012 Foster + Partners Prize</a> for excellence in sustainability and infrastructure. The work, along with six other recognized projects, will be displayed in October in a gallery at Foster + Partners. &nbsp; <strong><big>+ Via <a href="http://www.archdaily.com/255055/architectural-associations-foster-partners-prize-2012-goes-to-yi-yvonne-weng/">Arch Daily</a></big></strong> <strong><big>+ <a href="http://pr2012.aaschool.ac.uk/students/Yi_Yvonne-Weng">Yi Yvonne Weng</a></big></strong>