Title: Invasive expansion- the architecture of Japanese knotweed

Japanese knotweed is considered to be a globally invasive plant originating from East Asia. It spreads its roots relentlessly at the expense of local species. Not only can the plant be found in woods and wetlands, but along rails and roads. It even sprawls into building sites and front yards. Due to its rapid proliferation it's seen as a botanical antagonist - or is it the city being intrusive to nature?

We wanted to see how plants interact with architecture which, in the first place, is mimicking nature. Starting off by comparing architectural structures of root systems and leave veins to urban planning, we explored resemblances and various applications of Japanese knotweed.
Our project aims to show a relation of resembling, fighting, swallowing and merely co-existing. Invasive species can be botanical imperialists challenging indigenious diversity as can cities be a threat to plant life. By choosing japanese knotweed as subject, the plant not only grew to be complicit as photo motif, it also serves as scaffolding and developer all in one.

_Hannah Gebert________________________________
Isabella Leitz____