Oak Grove in front of the Anderson Collection
Image: Uni-no-Ki (Tree Urchin.) Photo by Marijose Alvarado.
Uni-no-Ki, or Tree Urchin in English, is a convergence of nature and innovation; it is an ode to the symbiotic relationship between human creativity and the environment. Inspired by the steadfast yet mystical presence of trees, and the intricacy of Japanese joinery, Uni-no-Ki emerges as a testament to harmonious coexistence and the transformative power of design.
The forms emerged from a structurally driven process in which students experimented with various structural modules to explore the relationship between strength and form. While one of these modules is not stable individually, an aggregation of the modules becomes stable when interwoven, producing a dynamic structural framework whose spiky profile inspired the name.
Just as sea urchins adapt to their rocky surroundings, Uni-no-Ki adapts to the landscape, seamlessly integrating with the environment rather than imposing upon it. Its organic form mimics the graceful curvature of branches around it and matches the fluidity of the wind as if it were still affected by ocean currents, inviting viewers to contemplate the parallels between terrestrial and aquatic life. As we stand amidst its ethereal presence, Uni-no-Ki challenges us to reconsider our relationship with the natural world and strive towards a more sustainable and harmonious future.
This ephemeral installation is authored by Stanford students taking the course CEE32H: Responsive Structures, led by instructors Beverly Choe and Jun Sato. It is an exploration of how to “grow” a structural system into a large-scale assemblage that responds to the specificities of the site. Scale models built by students during the course will be on display in the Anderson Collection lobby.
Student participants: Charm Feng Ang, Mariel Camargo, Krain Chen, Megan Chen, Amelia Chu, James Clark, Steven David, Becca Hiller, Yana Kim, James Lu, Rima Makaryan, Ari Patu, Josh Rocamora, and Natalia Seniawski.
