3D printed art installation in collaboration with Sir David Attenborough replaces traditional Xmas tree at Aqua Shard restaurant in London.

London restaurant Aqua Shard has dispensed with traditional Christmas decorations this year. Instead, the expensive eatery has opted for an array of 3D printed leaves which flow over three stories. The installation is located on the 31st floor of the Shard building in London, and will remain until January 2017.

Timothy Hatton Architects designed the piece in collaboration with Sir David Attenborough. Each leaf is being sold to raise funds for Fauna & Flora International. This is a wildlife conservation charity to which Attenborough has been a member for almost six decades (and vice-president for 37 years).

In a statement, Attenborough said:

“Timothy Hatton’s installation at the aqua shard captures wonderfully the fragility of nature, the beauty found in its diversity and the need to reflect upon the impacts of our own behaviour and of our ‘throwaway’ society – particularly at this time of year. I am delighted too that the proceeds from the installation will support Fauna & Flora International – an organisation that is working tirelessly to hold back the tide of extinctions and preserve our planet’s biodiversity.”

Aqua Shard Hosts an Unconventional Christmas Tree

The artistic Christmas tree replacement is formed from 3,000 leaf skeletons. Each leaf represents one of five species of endangered British tree.

The installation is entitled “Human Nature” and is 9 metres in height. It’s on display in the three-storey atrium of the Shard, with impressive views over the London skyline.

ObjectForm, a tech start-up based in Sheffield, took care of the actual 3D printing. Each leaf took around 20 minutes to fabricate using Ultimaker 2 machines. 

Scott Knowles, Technical Director of ObjectForm, outlined the process on a blog post on LinkedIn. “When we first investigated 3D printing,” he says, “it was clear that the 3D printing industry would be technologically disruptive and would put further pressures on the environment.”

However, the company has a solution for concerns about sustainability; the leaves are 3D printed from 100% recycled household waste plastic. ObjectFrom used their own Fila-Cycle HIP filament, which is made from refrigerator waste plastics and packaging. Knowles continued:

“Finding environmentally friendly plastics source was key to help champion 3D printing and all it could achieve. I am delighted to have worked in collaboration with Timothy Hatton Architects to create this amazing installation for Aqua Shard, the end result, a stunning depiction of nature.”

The installation is be on display between 16 November 2016 and 5 January 2017. In the new year, it’ll be taken down and thousands of leaves will be distributed to the generous folks who purchased one in support of charity.

As well as the 3D printed leaves, Aqua Shard will also be selling a specially created cocktail and dessert throughout November and December. Half of the proceeds will also be going towards Fauna & Flora International.

Interested in finding out more about the collaboration? Make sure to visit the Human Nature website for full details.