French architect Patrice Taravella and engineer Terry de Waal designed and built the Puff Adder garden structure at Babylonstoren Farm. It's used to grow South African clivia lilies and is made from balau wood strips on steel frames. The purpose of the carefully designed slats is to redirect sunlight and provide optimum air circulation for the lilies. In the words of Taravella and Waal,
"The structure of balau slats on steel frames eliminates about 40% of sunlight but allows a free flow of air: ideal for clivias. The bulge in the structure is known as 'the mouse,' as it resembles a rodent in the belly of a snake."
[via Dezeen]
