What if you were prescribed by a tree?

In 48 hours, we were tasked with developing a working prototype that is easily communicable and has actionable outcomes. We received a list of open data sets related to Melbourne, Victoria, and Australia and explored how we could better utilize this information for places of refuge.

In an urban context, “refuge” can mean a place of quiet respite, a temporary shelter, or a last resort in times of crisis. Our team examined social issues and focused on the rising cost of mental health, particularly concerning loneliness. We gathered research from articles, journals, and case studies to deepen our understanding of this issue.

After reviewing the data sets, we investigated urban parks and gardens, which led us to the urban forest interactive map project of the City of Melbourne. Drawing inspiration from people who emailed trees during the lockdowns, we began to ask, “What if these trees could respond to people? What would they say? How would you feel if you received a message from a tree?”

We immersed ourselves in Carlton Gardens to observe how people interact there. Additionally, we considered what we could learn from Indigenous knowledge and traditions regarding the care of country and community.

With all the data we gathered, we developed an interactive installation that uses data from tree maps and sensors, incorporating empirical investigations and Indigenous knowledge. This installation can be placed in high-stress areas. We rapidly prototyped wireframes and mocked up the experience.