If only we could have walking public gardens
Says Donacio Cejas of MET Studio
Says Donacio Cejas of MET Studio.
Since the opening of the first public parks, during the 19th century, our perspective over what green areas are and what they do for us has evolved.
Initially, they were considered merely ornamental features, thereafter they acquired social value as spaces for communal activities and, nowadays, they are even used as a tool to raise the prices in a bubbly real-estate market.
But, above all, a tree is a powerful living agent that filters the air from carbon dioxide pollution through the natural process of photosynthesis. If only we could take advantage of this and develop walking, automatised gardens with the ability to detect highly polluted areas inside our cities. With the capacity to move towards these areas as 'green agents', they could create temporary gardens, occupying available free spaces such as parking areas or wide lanes, generating an ephemeral forest that would help to purify the urban atmosphere. This process would be continuous as once it was achieved, it would move to the next polluted area.
Donacio Cejas
Donacio qualified as an architect in 2009 at UPM-Madrid and has collaborated with offices in Spain, China and the UK, working on projects from urban developments to installations. He has been involved in several experimental design projects that include concept housing with the FreshMadrid architecture collective. With MET Studio, Donacio has contributed to a diverse range of projects -- from a large-scale aquarium experience in China to concepts for a brand centre in Italy and galleries for a large museum of biodiversity in Mexico.
