Lee Broom unveils ‘The Tree of Glass’ with global design brand Nude
(UK) – This festive season, leading UK designer Lee Broom with global design brand Nude unveil ‘The Tree of Glass’ for contemporary British restaurant aqua shard, located on the 31st floor of The Shard. Designed by Lee Broom and manufactured by Nude, together they have created an illuminated sculptural take on a traditional Christmas tree inspired by the striking architecture of The Shard and its iconic silhouette on the London skyline.
The partnership sees aqua shard’s highly anticipated annual Christmas tree take a design-focused direction for 2017. ‘The Tree of Glass’ is a unique and contemporary Christmas tree comprised of 245 hand blown glass LED pendant lights floating in formation. The pendant shade design is inspired by The Shard and all 245 come together to create a single Shard shaped tree of light and glass, which playfully lights aqua shard’s iconic triplestory atrium, and views of the London skyline.
Committed to working with only the best craftspeople to develop his designs, this is the first collaboration between leading UK product designer Lee Broom, and contemporary glassware brand Nude who have meticulously handcrafted the shade for each pendant light. The cascading installation marks the perfect end to a celebratory tenth anniversary year for Broom who, earlier this year, unveiled a retrospective commemorating his decade of design during Milan’s annual design week. Previous collaborations of the tree at aqua shard include fashion designers Vivienne Westwood, Matthew Williamson and Sir David Attenborough with Timothy Hatton Architects.
The tree this year will raise funds for the British Red Cross, Lee Broom’s charity of choice, and two of its fundraising programmes, the UK Solidarity Fund and London Fire Relief Fund.
Each of the 245 pendant lights will be available to purchase from the Lee Broom website from 15th November 2017, with all proceeds being donated to the British Red Cross. Each pendant light will come with a 2w dimmable LED and ceiling rose for simple installation and will be delivered after the tree is de-installed in January 2018.
In addition, aqua shard will develop a special dessert and cocktail, to be sold throughout November and December, with 50% of the sales going to the British Red Cross. The restaurant will also add an optional £1 to every bill throughout the Christmas period, which will be donated directly to the charity.
‘The Tree of Glass’ will be unveiled on 14th November 2017 and will light up aqua shard’s atrium into the New Year.