Wild Fire

Wild Fire

Wild Fire is part of the Open Mind Places initiative in Referinghausen, nestled in the picturesque Sauerland region of Germany. This installation stands as a poignant tribute to the devastating forest dieback of 2020, caused by prolonged drought seasons exacerbated by climate change. At its center is a stack of dry wood atop a pedestal constructed from recycled reinforced concrete beams. The structure was deliberately burned, creating a powerful and evocative visual statement. The project aims to spark dialogue on biodiversity and innovative forestry practices. Periodically, the fire is reignited as a symbolic act to preserve collective memory and inspire meaningful action. Farmers and stakeholders participated in events to explore strategies for fostering ecological diversity, blending traditional knowledge with advanced technological tools. A key element of this effort is an AI-powered app that interpolates 70-year climate projection simulations with local geological and hydrological data to identify the most suitable tree species for each location. This forward-thinking approach seeks to establish resilient and sustainable landscapes for generations to come.

Wild Fire is part of the Open Mind Places initiative in Referinghausen, nestled in the picturesque Sauerland region of Germany. This installation stands as a poignant tribute to the devastating forest dieback of 2020, caused by prolonged drought seasons exacerbated by climate change. At its center is a stack of dry wood atop a pedestal constructed from recycled reinforced concrete beams. The structure was deliberately burned, creating a powerful and evocative visual statement. The project aims to spark dialogue on biodiversity and innovative forestry practices. Periodically, the fire is reignited as a symbolic act to preserve collective memory and inspire meaningful action. Farmers and stakeholders participated in events to explore strategies for fostering ecological diversity, blending traditional knowledge with advanced technological tools. A key element of this effort is an AI-powered app that interpolates 70-year climate projection simulations with local geological and hydrological data to identify the most suitable tree species for each location. This forward-thinking approach seeks to establish resilient and sustainable landscapes for generations to come.

Location

Referinghausen, Sauerland, Germany

Typology

Installation

Client

Referinghausen e.V.

Area

10 sqm

Year

2020

Status

Built

Material

wood, recycled concrete

Collaboration

Local community

Photographer

Laurian Ghinitoiu, Christoph Hesse Architects

Wild Fire

Wild Fire

Wild Fire is part of the Open Mind Places initiative in Referinghausen, nestled in the picturesque Sauerland region of Germany. This installation stands as a poignant tribute to the devastating forest dieback of 2020, caused by prolonged drought seasons exacerbated by climate change. At its center is a stack of dry wood atop a pedestal constructed from recycled reinforced concrete beams. The structure was deliberately burned, creating a powerful and evocative visual statement. The project aims to spark dialogue on biodiversity and innovative forestry practices. Periodically, the fire is reignited as a symbolic act to preserve collective memory and inspire meaningful action. Farmers and stakeholders participated in events to explore strategies for fostering ecological diversity, blending traditional knowledge with advanced technological tools. A key element of this effort is an AI-powered app that interpolates 70-year climate projection simulations with local geological and hydrological data to identify the most suitable tree species for each location. This forward-thinking approach seeks to establish resilient and sustainable landscapes for generations to come.

Location

Referinghausen, Sauerland, Germany

Typology

Installation

Client

Referinghausen e.V.

Area

10 sqm

Year

2020

Status

Built

Material

wood, recycled concrete

Collaboration

Local community

Photographer

Laurian Ghinitoiu, Christoph Hesse Architects