Banyan Treehouse School
Banyan Treehouse School

Banyan Treehouse School

a natural reclamation strategy and independent school

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The first step towards a Green Economic Zone in Kasama

Independent School

Banyan Treehouse School is a fantastic place. An afforestation and construction project for a free and independent boarding school in Zambia. A novel method, using fast growing trees in a special pattern, will grow Super-Trees able to support multi-story treehouses. The Treehouse School will open the invisible gates to Nature and Sciences with daily experiences, fun and adventure. Education will be a process of self-determination and individual support the the bright-minded children of Zambia.

Dormitories

Each treehouse for 5 children has a modern kitchen and a bathroom with two showers/toilets. TSPC* air purification systems will remove all odors, CO2, moisture and insects in all rooms. The smart ventilation is also the central heating- and cooling unit, connected to a powerful Seasonal Heat Storage underground. There will be state-of-the-art water treatment with bio-gas production. *TS Prototype-Creation in Germany is the construction engineering bureau behind the project. Development started in 2021

Banyan trees

From a construction viewpoint the stranger fig, or Banyan tree is a miracle. It is a very fast growing tree that can start from the ground, but also from the branches of a host-tree. The aerial roots of the Banyan, as well as the branches have the capacity to gently grow over any surface and shape. After several years they turn into thick trunks and branches that can support a lot of weight. The additional trunks supporting the branches make the Banyan more stable than any other tree. It is not harmed by wildfires, storms, earthquakes, or flooding. The roots have been found to grow 120 m deep into the ground and the height (above ground) reaches 70 m under natural conditions.

Children

Have we forgotten ? Or did we ever know ? Children need Adventure ! They need Excitement, Challenges, Fantasy and Mystery. They need Inspiration.They need Beauty. This is what Banyan Treehouse School will create.

Scale - Speed - Self-Assembly

At least 2000 Banyan trees will be planted for each module of 20 SuperTrees and connected to resemble the ancient trees in India. In a specific combination with other plants and construction the “created” SuperTrees will be able to support treehouses after 2 years of growth. One module tailored for 100 children will be 3 hectares in size on a +5 hectare property. The school will have a food-forest and permacultural garden. A tree- and Bamboo plantation for construction material. No timber or cement is used in construction. BTHS is ultra low-cost and no risk. The structure is built by natural Self-Assembly in which CO2, sunlight and water are converted without machines, or use of energy.

services and jobs

The project will create many good jobs in several companies. There will be housing, sports- and music facilities, community dining and a kindergarden for the on-site staff. Health care will be provided through a doctors practice. A general store will be located at the entry gate, with free potable water, open to the neighborhood. A healthy fast food joint according to the wishes of the students, staff and guests is envisioned. We plan to add one module each year until a campus with 200 treehouses for 1000 students is established. During that time Banyan Treehouse School will evolve into a Green Economic Zone. 50 innovative businesses and community services are planned so far.

Green Economic Zone

The Campus with 1000 students, staff and companies will provide jobs for many local construction companies. Hundreds of new tree-nurseries in the area are required to raise the 50,000 trees and Bamboo plants. 600,000 poles of all sizes will be needed. Kiri-trees and Giant reed will be raised on site. Construction companies can open up new branches for the processing and value editing of Bamboo construction profiles. Knowledge transfer from Germany to local companies will accelerate the growth of production and quality of products. Resilient, decentralized water- and energy infrastructure is the foundation for BTHS and will spread in the region.

Campus Design

The 20 treehouses of each module are connected to the main building via canopy walk-ways at 8m height. Wheelchair access is provided to all areas on solid, illuminated walkways. Children from all over the country will come to visit the fantastic forest, botanical garden, enjoy the water features, diving and hidden passages. The children do not have to fear for their life as others who have to walk for miles to get to school, through traffic with toxic air, or the savannah where wild animals can attack. Not even stray dogs can reach the children in the golden zone under the canopies of the trees. They enjoy fresh air and Beauty each day. image: design for BTHS main building with classrooms

Strategy

All afforestation will be draught- and wildfire resistant and not endangered by logging in the future. There is no point in planting more than a few trees if the long term safety can not be ensured. Trees and forests are long term projects. BTHS is building relationships, people, networks and resources. We will generate new water, fertile soil and clean air. The on-site water treatment will provide irrigation water for the Supertrees in the dry season and energy for cooking all year. The very low running costs for teachers, staff and some of the food not grown on-site, will be covered with tuition from a few percent of foreign-, or paying Zambian students.

Triciah Nchimunya Mwaamba

Mrs. Mwaamba is the advisor to BTHS, future owner and CEO. She is an exceptionally accomplished personality and professional in many ways. She grew up in a SDA church where she showed rare leadership qualities. During her time in Zambian boarding school, she became renown by engagement in multiple clubs, her initiative and leadership. She founded the "Young Farmers Club" which had up to 150 attendees 2-4 times a week. Her stories are being told to students till today. Mrs. Mwaamba speaks the 5 main languages of Zambia and English as native speaker. She is a self-made business woman and tailor living in Germany since 2021. She is the most loving, caring wife and mother that you`ll ever meet.

Nicol-André Berdellé

Mr. Berdellé is the founder and developer of BTHS. He has 40 years of experiences in Social Entrepreneurship growing up in the Pentecostal church. With his company TSPC he has been working on projects featuring parts of BTHS and the Green Economic Zone for 26 years. He has been working with the «Egyptian Presidential Advisory Council of Senior Scientists and Experts» for water solutions, afforestation and green urban development since 2010. His area of specialization is the combination of sustainable settlement design with the restoration of eco-systems. He currently advises two agro-forestry businesses in Zambia and a Main Chief. Since 2021 married to Triciah with two wonderful daughters.

Banyan trees

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