Hot or Not? Interior "Trees" in The Netherlands

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Check out the interiors of The Art and Culture Building in Rotterdam, the Netherlands — the firm Onno Donkers (OD-V) used existing concrete columns to their advantage by turning them into trees. By adding additional "branches" and green tiles in the drop ceiling, the tree effect is convincing without being too much...

What do you think?

Via: dezeen.

Comments (15)

This is totally cool in a public space. It would be a bit harder to carry off in a smaller residential space, but it makes me want to figure out how to.

posted by jfinteriors on January 27th 2009 at 1:06pm
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Creative. I think you could always change out the ceiling tiles when you tired of it. Or change out the colors according to the seasons?
I can see this working well in a children's library or museum as well.

posted by racheloncegentry on January 27th 2009 at 1:08pm
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Sure, why not.

posted by nazrd on January 27th 2009 at 1:09pm
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I love the idea of changing the tiles with the seasons!

posted by Aaron on January 27th 2009 at 1:10pm
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I think the tiles are a bit much...to me the tree motif seems obvious from the concrete alone.
On a side note, St. John's University has very similar columns in their library (designed by Breuer), but on a much larger scale. http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wxfFvzT47Fs/RfI_Pedm4WI/AAAAAAAAAHM/TzHgLkORiu0/IMG_0018.JPG

posted by ChristopherB on January 27th 2009 at 1:43pm
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Cool! Nice idea, but not overdone. Love the comment about changing tiles with the seasons. Very clever!!

posted by Geno B. on January 27th 2009 at 1:45pm
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Good for a public space, like a children's library.

A cafe near me has an even nicer version of the theme: lacy, hand-sculpted metal "branches" affixed to pillars. It looks amazing.

posted by Lisa Hunter (Montreal) on January 27th 2009 at 1:48pm
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I think the idea is pretty neat. The colored tiles are a nice touch.

Incidentally, you just reminded me of my favorite old haunt back in Cleveland: http://cleveland.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/photogallery/the-treehouse/627699/content

posted by ridge_van_winkle on January 27th 2009 at 1:48pm
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I can't tell whether the structure is made of wood or concrete, as ChristopherB suggested. I hope it's wood.
I think it's nice, great for a public space, difficult to apply to a private home... but maybe doable under certain circumstances.

posted by summer99 on January 27th 2009 at 1:53pm
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Its gorgeous. It might get old in a private home, but in a public space its great fun.

posted by cedargr0 on January 27th 2009 at 1:57pm
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The space is playful, fun and inviting. Perfect for a kids section of the library! Kudos to the designers.

posted by rachelrachel on January 27th 2009 at 2:25pm
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Those sharp corners are an accident waiting to happen. Kids are going to try and play on that thing and get hurt.

posted by jooly on January 27th 2009 at 3:38pm
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That is what a tree is. It makes the space.
Fun, natural, thoughtful... Teaches kids.
Now you are working with the grain!!!!
http://www.c10design.com

posted by c10 on January 27th 2009 at 8:47pm
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Not in a house so much as a public building - nice!

posted by broccoli on January 27th 2009 at 8:54pm
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i don't know that i'd like them in a house but i think they're awesome