Walking Among Giants
Design for Nature
Nightlights, David Trubridge
Artist/Designer David Trubridge partnered with Redwoods Treewalk to create an iconic nocturnal tourism experience. While returning my rented mountain bike at Whakarewarewa Mountain Bike Park, the woman checking me in asked what we were up to for the next few days in Rotorua. I mentioned the Redwood Tree Walk I had heard about, and she recommended that we go at night, saying, “They have some cool lighting features.” Even without elaboration, I trusted her friendliness, and we went that night.
See
I had NO IDEA how amazing the ‘lighting features’ would be! As we drove in, beautiful natural and modern structures created the ramp entrance to the first suspension bridge and small buildings with amenities and bathrooms. It was very dark, and these were all lit up magically. As we waited in line for our walk, we noticed projections on the tree canopy high above us. This animated surprise was just the beginning.
"This isn't an adrenalin rush or a theme ride – it's a front-row seat to the amphitheater of nature."
The Nightlights experience features lanterns from NZ design champion David Trubridge, a design experience that is truly memorable and magical. Enjoy at your own pace with no safety harness or training required, and appreciate the peacefulness and spirit of this special forest. Leave feeling inspired, refreshed, and rejuvenated. (bookme)
A view of two of the 28 suspension bridges during the day
Trubridge Horoeka Lantern is an impressive wood structure towering 9m tall and suspended 15m from the ground.
Say
We were excited to take on the Nightlights challenge, initially finding inspiration in New Zealand native birds; the Ruru (NZ Owl), Karearea (NZ Falcon), and the Miromiro (Tomtit). - David Trubridge
Looking at the lanterns, can you see the bird feathers that inspired the design?
How do Trubridge’s designs help to enhance visitors’ experience of nature?
Sustainable materials, inspiration from NZ birds, and careful installation to secure the lanterns without harming the trees are all a part of Trubridge’s lantern designs. Why do you think these three elements are essential in NZ?
Trubridge creates a fairytale atmosphere with the lanterns that seem to float in the distance. How might he create other moods using lighting?
Do
Make paper lanterns and hang them around your property to create a little magic.
Read: Rotorua's Redwoods Treewalk: Inside New Zealand's enchanted forest
Check out Trubridges other work @davidtruebridge.com
About David Trubridge
New Zealand-based David Trubridge is one of the world’s preeminent designers and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible design. Countless influential international publications have featured Trubridge’s iconic work, which ultimately launched the 'raw sophistication' design trend. In 2008, the French magazine Express listed him as one of the top 15 designers in the world. He is the recipient of the 2005 Antarctica Fellow, and in 2007, he was given NZ’s highest design award, the John Britten Award, by the Designer’s Institute of NZ.
Read more about the use of sustainable materials and some of the challenges involved in the Nightlights project.
Examples from Trubridges current catalog of lanterns for the home.
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