1. Our model ‘The roots of a tree —a model for us. It was the image of a mighty tree that guided us. The tree has a network of large and small roots that support it and anchor itn the sol, without the need for a concrete foundation, The roots resist the vertical and horizontal static and dynamic forces, also bending moments and imoacts, acting on the tree and transfer them to the ground. So the ‘ree can withstand wind, snow and earthquakes. ‘The roots interlock with the soll, bond with it to create a monolithic root ball composed of roots and sol, and thus @ composite material. How the tree “calculates” the size of the, root system It needs for its stabilty remains largely a mys- tery to Us, But the tree teaches us how to build with the soll, how to use it sparingly, how to improve it and reinforce it This new way of thinking about foundations was recognised by Dr. F Lizzi as long ago as 1962, He called his micropiles “root piles” (pall radice)