The Birch

Material Research project, Design Academy Eindhoven. [2014]. An old tradition, a new connection. The birch tree historically has a great history and importance to people as a tree of life and resources. My product is a tool kit aimed at the ‘city person’ containing tools and information needed to extract beneficial substances from the tree. Birch products are very present in expensive health food stores and easy to make yourself. Our ‘know how’ and understanding of the tree is however disappearing.

With plenty of fast-growing Birch trees in and around our cities, I want to remind people of the availability and possibilities of the extracts the Birch tree has to offer. The project aims to encourage people not to rely solely on the industry for easily extractable substances, and through this rekindle an appreciation for the tree.