Ross Lovegrove’s lighting design called Solar Tree celebrates its first anniversary since the European Tour started in 2007. A creation of the Italian Artemide Group, worldwide leader in innovative lighting products, the Solar Tree began its journey back in October 2007 at MAK in Vienna, then continued to travel across Paris and Germany. Now it is back in Italy, where you can have the chance to see it in all its splendor at the 11th International Architecture Exhibition on Viale Garibaldi in Venice, until November 23.

Artemide Solar Tree with solar cell technology is “a project that combines design, technological innovation, nature, and art”( Ross Lovegrove) using an advanced solar technology developed by Sharp Solar, a solar cells producer, and is eco-friendly.
After complex studies, the urban concept design became real representing “the DNA of our time and it also shows it is possible to create beautiful things using the most advanced technology"(Ross Lovegrove).

It is an artificial tree made of steel pipes, each having a light bubble with 38 complex solar cells connected to a battery and to a special device located in the base. Light is produced during night by Light Emitting Diodes, after accumulating enough solar energy during day time.

Its designer chose this shape to inspire organic forms, a new representation of morphology of the tree with sensual and modern feelings.
The tree can function autonomously or in synchronization with the public electric grid, and at dusk, LEDs are activated to light until dawn. It can illuminate for 3 days continuously even in overcast weather.




"Artemide has been considering social responsibility and sustainability for a long while now" says Ernesto Gismondi, the President of Artemide. "Respecting life, environment and all the natural resources available means facing the energy saving issue in a very serious way. Consequently advanced and high technical capacity technologies are created".