SAFE装置丨meii estudio

SAFE 是一个模块化、可重复使用且可适应性的系统，灵感来源于榕树的气生根。设计旨在在防止树枝断裂事故的同时，保护行人和树木自身的安全。

SAFE is a modular, reusable, and adaptable system inspired by the aerial roots of ficus trees, designed to protect both people and the trees themselves from the risk of branch failure.

▼项目概览，Overall of the project © Hiperfocal

在自然环境中，榕树的气生根会向地面延伸，随后木质化，形成额外的支撑结构，以承托粗大的树枝。然而，在地中海气候条件下，这些原产于澳大利亚和东南亚的外来榕树，常常因生长失控而导致枝干断裂——单根枝条重量可达数吨，极易造成安全事故。面对这一问题，传统做法往往是部分修剪树枝，甚至砍伐整棵树。

In their natural habitat, ficus aerial roots descend towards the ground, where they lignify and consolidate into additional supports capable of bearing the weight of large branches. However, as non-native species — originating from Australia and Southeast Asia— and due to the conditions of the Mediterranean climate, urban ficus trees often experience uncontrolled growth that can lead to the fracture of branches weighing several tons, posing a serious risk of accidents. In such cases, the usual response has been the partial removal of branches or, in some instances, the felling of the entire tree.

▼装置与自然，The installation and nature © Hiperfocal

▼与地面的衔接，Connection to the ground © Hiperfocal

SAFE 提出了一种可持续的替代方案：在保障行人安全的同时，维持树枝与树体的完整性，从而保护并强化城市绿化系统。该系统的灵感来自榕树气生根的自然逻辑，由松木制成的模块化构件——“杆件”和“环件”——组成，可拼装成轻质的网格柱结构。其基础采用 Piloedre 系统，一种对树体及根系侵扰极小的固定方式，既能稳固支撑，又不损害树木健康。整个结构以天然材料构成，通风透光，物理与视觉干扰极小，能够自然地融入榕树的环境之中。

▼设计概念，Project idea © meii estudio

SAFE proposes a sustainable alternative: it protects pedestrians while simultaneously preserving the integrity of both the branch and the tree, thus helping to maintain and strengthen urban green cover. Inspired by the natural logic of aerial roots, the system consists of modular pinewood components —bars and rings— that, when assembled, form a lightweight lattice column. The foundation is resolved with the Piloedre system, a minimally invasive solution for the tree and its roots that anchors the support without compromising the specimen’s health. The result is a natural-material structure, permeable to air and light, with minimal physical and visual impact that blends seamlessly into the ficus environment.

▼装置与榕树，Installation and ficus © Hiperfocal

得益于模块化设计，SAFE 可适用于多种场景：高度可调，可增减支撑数量，并能根据每根树枝的具体情况灵活配置。通过这种方式，系统能够融入树木自身的结构逻辑，成为其有机延伸的一部分，从而确保榕树在城市景观中的延续与生命力。

Thanks to its modular design, SAFE can adapt to multiple scenarios: it can be adjusted in height, configured with more or fewer supports, and tailored to the unique conditions of each branch. In this way, the system integrates into the tree’s own structural logic, becoming an extension of it and ensuring its continuity within the urban landscape.

▼“杆件”和“环件”，Bars and rings © Hiperfocal

▼支撑细节，Supporting details © Hiperfocal

▼剖面图，Section © meii estudio

▼细节图，Detail © meii estudio

meii estudio

@meii_estudio

Start of construction: April 2024

End of construction: Junio 2025

Built Area: –

Place: Calle Adarve de Artilleria, Cartagena

Client: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena

Team: Jose María Mateo, Elvira Carrión, Javier Albacete,

Andrea Sanabria, Juan Antonio Abril

Photography: Hiperfocal ()