A pine tree being removed to make way for the transformation of Penrith’s Voreda House will be preserved as a decorative art installation.
Penrith-based 2030 Architects is exploring options for using timber from the tree to create a feature wall in the reception lobby of Voreda House, which is set to become the new headquarters for Eden District Council and its partners, by the end of the year.
It is hoped the installation will promote the Passivhaus credentials of the building and the ambition of Eden District Council to be zero carbon by 2030.
Once felled, the tree will be taken to a local sawmill, where its trunk and branches will be cut into discs, which will then be air dried.
Eden Council said it is hoped that around 350 of these discs will be used to create a vertical montage on the walls in the reception area, providing a softer and more organic finish in the public areas of the building.
A spokesman added: “Repurposing the timber in this creative way will also facilitate the retention of the carbon already locked into the tree. A variety of disc sizes will be created ranging from approximately 400mm to 100mm, providing a visual link through the public spaces and creating a significant feature in these areas.”
