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.

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. The installation was displayed during May 2024 at the Anderson Collection at Stanford University.

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.

Photo Credits: Adam Rouse Photography