Bep architecture

Bep architecture encompasses architecture as it appears in the Bep domain. The domain houses a vast range of natural- and built environments, architectural traditions, and construction resources, meaning no unitary "Bep" architecture exists. Rather, this page aims to give an overview of some of the more prominent features of built landscapes in the domain.

Nodes

In forested areas, particularly old-growth subtropical forest, node architecture is dominant. This is the stereotypical Bep architecture, built into trees & the forest canopy with lightweight constructions, extensive trusswork, and suspended walkways.

This form of construction uses lightweight frames, often in nice geometric shapes, and covering panels, made out of lightweight composites. These composites would traditionally be made with wax, glues, and fabrics; nowadays, they are more commonly manufactured out of resins, glass wool, metal- and fibre meshes, etc. In subtropical environments, panels can save weight on insulation, since they only need to protect against wind, rain, and birds. A high priority of a node architecture is for the structure to not damage the tree it's in, and wires/ropes are used extensively to secure & anchor branches and structures.

Node architecture is named as such because in the canopy, most of the space you're going to have needs to be constructed, as tree branches offer limited surface area to live on. Thus, all structures are highly interconnected "in a network of nodes" by bridges, walkways, etc., as well as platforms and intermediary structures.

Node architecture is typically complemented by functional architecture like storages, fortresses, and factories built in clearings on the forest floor, but as living down there is still undesirable due to low light, as well as generally taboo, most old-growth Bep stay comfortably in the canopy.

Megastructures

Two dominant strategies exist to counter the harsh climate in the Bep domain. One is to hide, by burrowing, building into the terrain, or using vegetation as cover. Another, more expensive approach is to fight the weather head-on, building structures that are able to mitigate the effects of the weather. Settlement wind walls, floodwalls, cupolas, and wind/water channels all serve to provide artificial cover; particularly, plough-shaped walls built into the wind are often raised next to villages where there is insufficient foliage to hide in. Since weather defences are large, expensive structures, building them to suit multiple secondary purposes is common, making it economically viable to build proper megastructures fairly often. Fortresses are an example of a kind of (mega-)structure that began with farmers & ranchers in sparser areas enclosing their whole farms for protection, but which has since evolved into larger, self-sustaining structures. Factories and city walls are also good examples, where putting multiple manufacturers, companies, or warehouses into a single, dense lump grants repairs a very favourable economy of scale.