Hayat Agacı - Life Tree: A Sculptural Lighting Masterpiece

Sebnem Buhara and Ozan Unal's Award-Winning Design at Raffles Arcade, Zorlu Center

The "Life Tree" is more than just a lighting structure. It is a symbol of hope, promising exuberant days ahead. The design is based on a longstanding mythological perception that mirrors the strength of nature. The tree's charming body and shining branches, which resemble diamonds, make it a unique piece of art. The challenge was to transform the structure of a regular tree into a lighting structure, a task accomplished through a hand-made commissioned product.

The realization of this design involved a meticulous process. After setting the main philosophy, the designers began sketching on paper. An identical copy of the Raffles entrance was built in Ozan Unal's atelier. The original version of the tree was created with clay and plaster. Three bodies were shaped by bronze founding in an atelier, and the lightings were prepared by glass blowing masters. The bronze branches were prepared one-by-one using a wax technique.

The technical specifications of the "Life Tree" are impressive. The tree has approximately 150 branches, each made up of 2 tons of bronze, and each branch carries 600 mt of cable for lighting. After the finishing process, it was transferred with a derrick car and dollies. The "Life Tree" stands 4.5 meters tall and weighs 2 tons.

The design was completed in 6 months and placed in Raffles Arcade, Zorlu Center, in September 2016. The designers aimed to create an art piece that would not interfere with the architectural structure and would also deliver a message. The result was a 4.5-meter, 2-ton sculpture that points out the beauty of nature in a concrete jungle, delivering a startling message while also soothing at the same time.

The "Life Tree" was awarded Silver in the A' Limited Edition and Custom Design Award in 2017. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. These designs, admired for their strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.