Published on 20-11-2018

Start test phase 3D printed tree pots for Food Innovation Strip

Ede - Wageningen

The Food Innovation Strip covers a distance of 11 km and forms the connection between Wageningen University & Research with the Business and Science Park Wageningen, the Knowledge Campus Ede and the future World Food Center in Ede. The axis becomes a linear arboretum with distinctive trees. Some of those trees will be placed in large Erlenmeyer flasks of 2.6 meters high.

The shape, materialisation and the manufacturing process of the pot give space and meaning to the innovative character of the area. Last year prototypes of the pots were 3D-printed and assembled in Rotterdam, and Wageningen UR is researching which bio based materials are suitable and applicable. As part of this manufacturing process, it is now being tested which tree species thrive best in the pots and how the prototypes behave in outdoor areas.

15 pots are placed at tree nursery Ebben in Cuijk, with three copies of five different tree species. One of the trees gets a pot and two trees are used for reference and are in the ground. This way it can be tested what the effect of the pot on the growth conditions of the tree is and which tree species thrive best.

The test phase is part of the implementation of the Public Space Handbook for the Food Innovation Strip Ede-Wageningen. Felixx developed this manual last year on behalf of the municipality of Ede and the municipality of Wageningen, in close collaboration with the Province of Gelderland and Wageningen UR. The implementation of the manual is carried out in phases. The placement of the 3D printed Erlenmeyer flasks and the start of the test period is part of the first phase. The test phase lasts 2 years, the first results of the pilot will be known mid 2019/2020.

So exciting to see our design come to life! The pilot phase for the 3D printed tree pots for the Food Innovation Strip Ede-Wageningen has started. The pots were designed by Felixx, and made by 3D Robot Printing in Rotterdam. The Erlenmeyer form refers to the innovative character of the companies and knowledge institutions in the area. The pots will be tested at tree nursery Ebben in the next 2 years and are subsequently placed in the public space. The Food Innovation Strip covers a distance of 11 km and forms the connection between Wageningen University & Research with the Business and Science Park Wageningen, the Knowledge Campus Ede and the future World Food Center in Ede. The axis becomes a linear arboretum with distinctive trees. Some of those trees will be placed in large Erlenmeyer flasks of 2.6 meters high. The shape, materialisation and the manufacturing process of the pot give space and meaning to the innovative character of the area. Last year prototypes of the pots were 3D-printed and assembled in Rotterdam, and Wageningen UR is researching which bio based materials are suitable and applicable. As part of this manufacturing process, it is now being tested which tree species thrive best in the pots and how the prototypes behave in outdoor areas. 15 pots are placed at tree nursery Ebben in Cuijk, with three copies of five different tree species. One of the trees gets a pot and two trees are used for reference and are in the ground. This way it can be tested what the effect of the pot on the growth conditions of the tree is and which tree species thrive best. The test phase is part of the implementation of the Public Space Handbook for the Food Innovation Strip Ede-Wageningen. Felixx developed this manual last year on behalf of the municipality of Ede and the municipality of Wageningen, in close collaboration with the Province of Gelderland and Wageningen UR. The implementation of the manual is carried out in phases. The placement of the 3D printed Erlenmeyer flasks and the start of the test period is part of the first phase. The test phase lasts 2 years, the first results of the pilot will be known mid 2019/2020.