Claridge's, London, until 2nd January!

Photo above: Paul Smith Ltd.

Bird box oddities for Paul Smith's Christmas Tree at Claridge's.

Paul Smith was invited by Claridge's hotel in London, to design this year's Christmas tree and he, in turn, invited Nik to collaborate. Paul decided on bird boxes as his particular decoration for the tree, alongside classic baubles, lights and his signature stripes. Nik was invited to dream up some alternative bird boxes to sit alongside the hundred boxes designed by the Paul Smith team. 

Nik built four boxes, pictured above. The golden flying box with flapping wings, hovering at head height, perfect for nestling at the top of people's photos in front of the tree; the exploded bird box with it's seven sides errupting on springs, the cable car bird, inspired by a toy cable car in Paul's office and travelling the 7 meter width of Claridge's lobby; and a Calder mobile bird box, suspended from the stairs near the tree.

Around the base of the tree, are 'off-cut animals' by Studio Mama. Build and instalation by Millington Associates.

The Making of the Paul Smith Christmas Tree at Claridge's.