Dezeen Magazine

Lasvit and Yabu Pushelberg unveil illuminated glass Christmas tree

Czech glass brand Lasvit and design firm Yabu Pushelberg have created an illuminated glass Christmas tree for the lobby of Hong Kong's Upper House Hotel.

The tree-shaped installation is based upon Yabu Pushelberg's Otto glassware and the Cipher light collection that Lasvit launched earlier in the year.

It is made from a lattice web of handblown glass elements that are each connected by champagne-gold polished brass fittings.

Yabu Pushelberg christmas tree

Just like the system of Cipher lights, each of the elongated handblown glass capsules that make up the abstract tree are hand-etched with clean-cut vertical lines. Hidden LED sources within the brass connection points soften the bulbs' illumination as the light travels downs the etched lines.

"The design represents a balance between heritage techniques, dramatic textures and contemporary forms," explained the designers in a statement. "A warm and illuminated entrance will receive guests before they commence their upward journey through the hotel."

Yabu Pushelberg christmas tree

Unveiled earlier this week at the luxury hotel's entrance, the tree will be auctioned off to raise money for local organisation The Society of AIDS Care.

The tree is the second specially commissioned Christmas tree at The Upper House in Hong Kong – last year it was designed by the hotel's architect Andre Fu. Inspired by the traditions of Nordic Timber Craft, Fu's 3.3 metre-high tree was composed of 80 layers of staggered pine planks.

Each plank was hand-stained in a gradation of salmon pink to green tea, stacked in a spiral formation and mounted on a revolving platform.

Yabu Pushelberg christmas tree

"It's an absolute honour to collaborate with two iconic names in the design world," said Marcel Thoma, General Manager of The Upper House.

"The duo behind Yabu Pushelberg have been great friends of our House for many years, and to have their concept transformed into a breathtaking work of art by the craftsmen of Lasvit is simply incredible."

Yabu Pushelberg christmas tree

Yabu Pushelberg's illuminated tree follows the unveiling of  Lee Broom's Tree of Glass at London's Shard. Made in collaboration with glassware brand Nude, the 10-metre-tall Christmas tree is made up of 245 individual hand-blown glass pendant lights.

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Yabu Pushelberg christmas tree
Yabu Pushelberg christmas tree