Craig Deebank and Gina Gallaugher were selected as finalists in the Sukkahville design competition held in Toronto recently with their extraordinary Embryonic Canopy – a giant floating seed bomb (and a contemporary Sukkah.) Comprised of a CNC-cut central platform that resembles real trees along with several biodegradable balloons, the design is a whole new take on an ancient Jewish tradition, and they have a fascinating urban agricultural component as well.
Primarily a Sukkah, which is a special kind of tent built to commemorate the long and arduous journey from Egypt to the Holy Land, Embryonic Canopy has another function as well.
The natural latex balloons are filled with different kinds of seeds, such as strawberry, different kinds of herbs, or vegetables such as cucumber or tomato. They are also filled with helium, which is admittedly in decline, so that the balloons can potentially up and float away.
But natural latex is biodegradable, so if and when the balloons pop, they are like giant seed bombs. Either the seeds root in place or some crafty animal discovers the seeds and enjoys a lovely meal.
If the balloons don’t float away, they can be planted at the end of the Sukkot holiday in preparation for the following year’s harvest.
Meanwhile, the cedar mulch-filled core platform that promotes contemplation and reflection is completely reusable. We’ve seen some really interesting Sukkah’s in our time, but this has to be one of the coolest.
:: Arch Daily
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
