Willow Balls in Guardian UK Sustainable Business

Among Terreform ONE’s recent designs are tree spheres called Willow Balls. They are living treehouses just 8 feet (2.43 meters) in diameter. Joachim considers them semi-permanent, and says they can be used as seasonal spaces like gazebos or other outdoor recreational spaces. They’re made by growing ficus trees over a scaffolding frame similar to what gardeners do when they use pliable living plants to create archways. Once the fast-growing ficus trees cover the sphere, the scaffolding can be removed and re-used with another set of plants.While the living-plants portion of the sphere is natural, Terreform ONE will manufacture the scaffoldings in Brooklyn out of wood or metal. Terreform ONE is currently taking orders for the scaffoldings – priced at $8,000 – and expects to put them on sale in early 2015.
see:
Are tiny houses and micro-apartments the future of urban homes? by Rachael Post

http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2014/aug/25/tiny-houses-micro-living-urban-cities-population-newyork-hongkong-tokyo