Project Overview

This year Claridge’s lobby is home to much more than a Christmas Tree. Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newson, in collaboration with renowned British set designer Michael Howells, have created an immersive festive installation. Step through Claridge's revolving doors this Christmas and you will find yourself in a magical, snow-covered forest.

Project Commissioner

Claridge's

Project Creator

Team

Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newson, in collaboration with renowned British set designer Michael Howells.

Project Brief

“There are few things more pure and beautiful than nature, so that was our starting point, layering various iterations of organic forms with technology. Our aim was to create an all-enveloping magical experience that celebrates our enormous respect for tradition while recognising our excitement about the future and things to come."
Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newson

Sir Jony Ive, Chief Design Officer at Apple, and Marc Newson, one of the world’s most influential industrial designers, are both long-time friends of the hotel.

Project Innovation/Need

The installation features four-metre high light boxes that glow with black and white photographic images of snow covered silver birch trees, set on a pure white floor.

Against this backdrop, rise cast models of Scots pine, layered with both natural and photographed silver birch and fir trees, reaching to a canopy of natural green pine.

The Claridge’s Christmas Tree has long symbolised the start of the festive season in the capital. drawing visitors and Londoners alike to admire its magnificent design. This is the seventh year that Claridge’s has invited a favourite guest to reinterpret the tree in their own distinctive style.