Renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma has introduced two innovative Christmas trees at the Edition hotels in Tokyo’s Toranomon and Ginza districts. These unique trees, constructed entirely from timber components, are designed not only to celebrate the festive season but also to serve a functional purpose afterward. The wooden elements will be repurposed into furniture by Japanese manufacturer Karimoku, embodying the principles of sustainability and eco-conscious design.
“I designed the Christmas tree as an architectural structure for this project,” Kuma explained. “The trees have a story of their own assembly; even after it is finished, they will live forever. In this sense, I realised the ideal way of architecture in the future through the Christmas tree.”
The first tree, named Kigumi, is prominently displayed in the lobby of the Tokyo Edition, Toranomon hotel. It is crafted from six types of wood, including oak, Japanese maple, Japanese walnut, magnolia, castor aralia, and North American walnut. Linear timber pieces with metallic silver and bronze finishes form the tree’s structure. Once dismantled, these components will be transformed into table legs.
The second tree, Komorebi, stands in the lobby bar of the Tokyo Edition, Ginza hotel. Unlike Kigumi, this tree features rounded elements made from similar types of wood. These curved timber pieces, often discarded during furniture production, will be repurposed into solid table tops and hollow desk legs after the holidays.
Eiichiro Kato, board director at Karimoku, praised the project for its alignment with the company’s values. “This project of reusing the wood used for the event as furniture is very attractive because it aligns with what we cherish daily. We hope that by purchasing the table, you will be able to enjoy the variety of the wood used in the table and feel the charm of the wood and the individuality of the forests we benefit from through our daily lives.”
The initiative highlights sustainable practices in architecture and design, emphasizing the potential for temporary installations to serve lasting purposes. Other creative Christmas trees this season include a neon-lit tree by British artist Liz West in Kings Cross and a twisting column by Anna Lomax for the V&A.
Kuma’s design not only celebrates the festive spirit but also underscores the importance of reimagining waste and exploring sustainable solutions in architecture and design.
