A Tree Tells the Story of Berlin-Wedding

“The Mapquilt Tree” reflects the urban structure of Berlin’s Wedding district, reimagining it as a stylised tree canopy. Inspired by the concept of a quilt, the design brings together numerous individual sections to create a coherent whole. The choice of materials also creates a deliberate connection to everyday urban life: stainless steel and polycarbonate are familiar elements of the built environment, forming a subtle link between individual experience and public space. Streets and pathways become stainless-steel branches framing the built-up areas represented on translucent polycarbonate sheets.

Five-millimetre-thick, opal white Exolon® UV solid polycarbonate sheets, featuring UV protection on both sides, were used for the translucent elements of the canopy. The soft white tone enhances the sculpture’s open and airy appearance, while changing daylight conditions and viewing angles create a variety of visual effects.

Why choose UV-protected solid polycarbonate sheets?

The project required a material that could be machined precisely and formed into the shapes specified by the design. At the same time, it needed to be suitable for long-term outdoor use.

Artist Stephanie Imbeau was particularly impressed by the material’s ease of processing, visual quality and thermoforming capabilities. These properties made it possible to shape the individual elements of the canopy in line with the cartographic design and integrate them into the stainless-steel structure while preserving the textile-inspired character of the original concept.

“The Mapquilt Tree” demonstrates how high-performance materials can help bring artistic concepts to life. The interplay between the translucent polycarbonate sheets and the stainless-steel elements creates a striking contrast, giving the sculpture a contemporary yet delicate presence.