Stockholm-based visiondivision conducted a week-long workshop at the politecnico di milano, in milan, italy, in which guest professors conducted an exploration for students to consider the impact of the fast-paced lifestyle on ecology and environmental issues in architecture. The result was ‘the patient gardener’, a structure consisting of ten japanese cherry trees which is the main building material for the construction of a two-story retreat. bending, twisting, pruning and grafting will be used to control and develop the growth of the building over time.