Treetop Walkway,  Kew Gardens,  London,  June 2016

Kew Garden’s Arboretum has a fantastic walkway that lets you to wander at your leisure around the canopy of lime, oak and sweet chestnut trees.

118 steps take you up to the 18-metre high and 200-metre long walkway, which loops its way through the trees.  It was designed by Marks Barfield Architects, who were also responsible for the London Eye.  Twelve straight, horizontal pathways are linked by circular platforms where you can stand and admire the nature that surrounds you.

The beautiful walkway is made of a clever mix of steel and wood.  The massive trusses, reminiscent of tree trunks, are made of weathering steel, in a natural rusty colour, with wear patterns that give the impression of peeling bark.

The warm handrails are made of sweet chestnut timber.   The Fibonacci numerical sequence that is tightly linked to natural structures (click here for a good summary of this “golden ratio”) has been used in the design of the walkway, influencing the shapes and angles of the walkways and trusses.

For anyone needing a bit of help to get up to the walkway, there is a lift that blends nicely into the design and provides a mobile view.

Copyright Debbie Smyth, 29 June 2016

Part of Fun Foto