The Upper House Unveils Sustainable, Zero-Waste Christmas Tree
Created By EDITECTURE, the 100% Upcycled Tree Transforms into Designer Furniture for Charity Auction
Hong Kong, 17 November 2022 – Continuing its annual tradition, The Upper House has commissioned a premier architecture and design studio to create a bespoke Christmas tree that aligns with their commitment to sustainability. “The Tree That Lives On” welcomes guests with festive joy and warmth as they enter The House.
Crafted by multidisciplinary design studio EDITECTURE, the 100% upcycled Christmas Tree is created to last beyond the festive season, transforming into 21 pieces of beautiful custom-designed furniture comprising 100% recyclable materials. Rescuing waste from landfills and waterways, the 3.6-metre-tall tree is composed of 38,600 discarded plastic bottles and upcycled glass, which have been shredded and melted into sparkling orbs that resemble glittering Christmas ornaments.
“Christmas trees are much more than just festive decorations. They are full of meaning – they bring us together and spread joy to our family, friends and loved ones. But they are
usually only on display for a few weeks each year,” said Jacqueline Chak, co-founder of EDITECTURE. “When The Upper House invited us to design their custom Christmas tree, we set out to create a lasting design that would have a second life after the holidays.”
In an impressive feat of engineering, “The Tree That Lives On” can be reconfigured into 5 sets of chic furniture – a mix of tables, lamps, stools and chairs – that will be available for a charity auction. Chak says that designing the Christmas Tree was a challenge due to its geometry. In addition to the precise measurements required to create the tree’s tapered form, each individual piece had to fit together seamlessly like a puzzle.
“EDITECTURE’s idea to craft a waste-free tree that can be fully recycled, and gives back to the community, perfectly aligns with The Upper House ethos,” said Kristina Snaith-Lense, General Manager of The Upper House. “We are thrilled to showcase this inspiring Christmas Tree, which continues our tradition of enlisting leading designers to present sustainable, socially conscious centrepieces that inspire wonder and joy during the festive season.”
“The Tree That Lives On” is as beautiful as it is innovative, showcasing a mixture of speckled white silver, opaque recycled plastic and gold accents. And when disassembled, the furniture also catches the eye and imagination. From the sleek pedestal tables to free-form chairs, each artfully crafted piece of furniture feels sculptural and organic.
In keeping with the season’s spirit of giving, the designer furniture pieces will be available for auction, with all proceeds benefiting a charity in Hong Kong that supports underprivileged families living in subdivided flats. The silent auction is hosted on www.thehousecollective.com and bids can be sent to kristina@upperhouse.com until 3 January 2023.
“I hope our fully transformable and upcycled Christmas Tree for The House will inspire other creators, and share an important message with our community,” said Chak. “A tree can be more than just a tree. It can stretch beyond your own circle and spread love to other people.”
To view the making of The Tree That Lives On, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZsWs58fxpg&t=8s
For more information, please contact:
Stephanie Shiu
Director of Marketing & Communications
The Upper House
+852 3968 1023
Email: stephanieshiu@swirehotels.com
Lili Chu
Senior Marketing & Communications Manager
The Upper House
+852 3968 1198
Email: lilichu@swirehotels.com
