A ‘tree–wheeling’ sustainable Christmas

This article is provided courtesy of the news feed at http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/news

Sustainable practice Sarah Wigglesworth Architects was commissioned by urban regeneration developers Igloo to create a bespoke Christmas tree for the square in south east London.

The tree is made up of 35 recycled bike wheels set on a simple structure to form the shape of a Christmas tree.

The wheels incorporated in the design are on loan from UK charity Re-cycle, which provides cheap, sustainable transport for local people and health workers coping with the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

Local cycling shops donated additional reflectors to act as fairy lights - without the need for energy.

Igloo deputy chief executive David Roberts said: ‘The Bermondsey tree not only looks great, it can be used year after year. It is designed so that it can be dismantled and stored.’

‘We also hope its presence in the square will contribute to a number of measures we are taking to actively encourage cycling in London,’ he added.