Page 36 - I-Plants Magazine special 2021 Biophilic Design Awards issue - regular res

Silver Award 36

Cut Floral, Artificial Foliage & Artificial Floral Work
$20,001-$30,000

Project:
Renaissance Hotel

and Eldr + Rime

Restaurant

Congratulations to:

Interiorscapes, Inc.

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin,U.S.A

The story behind this design and installation:
The owner envisioned guests dining under a beautiful tree with an
expansive canopy to create the perfect picture for social media. Instead
of one central trunk, the client wanted the tree to take up more space
at the base of the planter. In order to create that vision, custom multi-
trunk birch trees from Autograph Foliages were used as a starting
point. Trees were direct shipped to our client’s location. Each tree was
disassembled, reset in concrete and an additional 600 branches were
added to make the canopy extend from 6’ to 14’ tip to tip. Additional
trunks were also added to mimic the birch trees seen just outside the
restaurant windows. The owner wanted the trees to look as authentic
as possible, therefore every detail was scrutinized. In order to create the
canopy and fullness they envisioned, our team hand wrapped artificial
birch foliage to real birch branches and then hand selected and placed
the 600 branches along the trunks. To create a natural tapered top,
hand selected birch branches were attached to the sawed off trunks.
The effect at night is quite stunning. Almost 149 hours of labor went into
creating these beautiful custom birch trees. In addition to the custom
trees, a trellis and planter were installed in the bar area. The trellis was
Symmetry of design is soothing to the eye and chosen by the architect and we provided the plants and natural ele-
creates a sense of calm. While the green of the ments. In keeping with the Scandinavian esthetic, we limited the types
tree foliage is a fresh welcome in a monocratic and quantity of artificial plants – choosing a more minimalist design.
dining room.

er in th
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The trellis planter in the bar is the first thing you
Th
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ou
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see upon entr
see upon entry from the outdoors. Biophilic in
e out
door
s. Biophilic in
om th
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er sets th
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nature the planter sets the tone for the design
What makes this design biophilic? natur e th e r estaur ant itself . on e f or th e design
within the restaurant itself.
within th
Being surrounded by nature while partaking in
one of the most basic of human needs – eating
– is multisensory. The light creating shadows of
the branches overhead, the texture of the moss
and bark of the trees create a multisensory
experience connecting you to nature. Greenery
provides a background to the clean Scandina-
vian design, your eyes can’t help but gravitate
towards the lush foliage. This creates a sense
of grounding and calm in the midst of a busy
restaurant space.