In 2010 I travelled to a remote part of rainforest in Meghalaya in North East India. I’d heard of ‘Living Bridges’ but never seen them.

There was something very moving about the thought that generations of people in this small community had nurtured these tree roots over decades to create bridges for future generations. The practice had become part of their culture. I saw a man carefully hollowing palm trees and delicately teasing the roots inside.

After many years of care the roots eventually form a strong bridge, that continues to get stronger. It’s an extraordinary example of harnessing nature’s technology. Waterproof, impervious to earthquakes or ageing and made without tools or materials. And more beautiful than any piece of concrete.