Westonbirt Arboretum - Silkwood

www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt-the-national-arboretum

www.thegroupofseven.co.uk

Stretch ECO fabric to timber support structures

Create freestanding shape cut 3D ‘Tree’ sculptures

Tetbury, Gloucestershire

To create a freestanding ECO-friendly sculpture display, to highlight woodland management

Working in conjunction with the design team and client, a conceptual project was required to be made in sustainable materials. The display, to last outdoors for a 3-5 year period. The graphic displays, to highlight the tree management underway in the area, due to disease.

The timber ‘Tree’ constructions, 3D digitally routed from marine-ply, printed and finally treated, before bonding together around a box steel inner support. Finally mounted to existing tree stumps, with exterior grade fixings and resin, without the need to excavate footings for cement fixing and to withstand the rigours of a permanent outdoor life.

All parties, then working with an independent structural engineer, to ensure best practice for safe fixing, this project was the culmination of 3 months in planning and design to the final installation.