Hong Kong Christmas Tree 2015: A Sustainable Bamboo Installation

Bringing Festive Cheer with Upcycled Materials

Inspired by the success of their previous award-winning sustainable pavilion design, "Rising Moon," Siu Kwok Kin Stanley and his team aimed to reduce construction waste by using upcycled materials for the Christmas tree installation. Recognizing that most Christmas trees end up in landfills after the festival, they chose bamboo as the primary material to minimize waste.

The "Hong Kong Christmas Tree" is a collaboration between the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) and the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) Community Development Committee. Standing at an impressive 23 meters high, it holds the title of the tallest Christmas tree in Hong Kong during the 2015 Christmas season.

Bamboo, known for its flexibility and durability, is a popular construction material in Hong Kong. In this installation, the team reversed the role of bamboo scaffolding, usually used for support, and made it the star of the show. Additionally, the design team enlisted the help of thousands of secondary school students to create 50,000 twinkling stars out of upcycled aluminum cans.

The entire installation, including the bamboo poles structure and the aluminum stars, is made from recyclable and reusable materials. The bamboo installation was erected in just three days using traditional Hong Kong Bamboo Scaffolding techniques.

Adding to the festive ambiance, the "Hong Kong Christmas Tree" features an LED light show synchronized with music. A total of 99 sets of waterproof stage LED spotlights in seven different levels illuminate the installation, controlled by lighting technicians through computer programming.

The "Hong Kong Christmas Tree" project began in May 2015, with construction taking place between December 11th and 18th of the same year. The installation was exhibited in Piazza C, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, from December 19th to 26th, 2015.

This innovative design received the Bronze A' Design Award in the Lighting Products and Fixtures Design category in 2016. The award recognizes designs that demonstrate creativity, resourcefulness, and a commitment to improving quality of life through art, science, design, and technology.

The "Hong Kong Christmas Tree" not only brings festive cheer to the city but also serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable design and the potential for upcycling materials to create stunning and environmentally friendly installations.