Sap Lab

Invasive species have become a pressing global issue, with an estimated $120 billion in economic losses annually from their impacts. In the United States, invasive species are responsible for the loss of more than 220,000 jobs and the cost of $8.8 billion in damages each year. One of the most serious invasive species problems is the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, which has been rapidly spreading across the eastern United States and is threatening the survival of the Eastern Hemlock tree population. The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is a sap-sucking insect that feeds on the tree’s sap, causing the tree to die. To combat this issue, the proposal reimagines the integration of invasive species (Hemlock Woolly Adelgid) into the project’s infrastructure as a means to preserve the native Eastern Hemlock trees population. The proposal consists of two components: a Hemlock Woolly Adelgid research lab and a CLT factory. How can humans collaborate with other species to form new structures without depleting the earth’s natural resources?