Artist Aaron Laux’s stunning wood sculptures are inspired by organic design and incorporate reclaimed materials. Learn more about this artist and his work by visiting his website.
“The Tree House Stairway” (Private commission, North Chicago) Cherry Wood Treads and Balustrades, Metal, Whole Burr Oak Tree, 35′ x 28′ x 14′
Food, water and shelter are the necessities of life, but to really thrive we need to feed our souls. Art has been my soul food ever since I was very young.
“The Tree House Stairway”
I am a proponent of Biophilic Design theory that speaks about an intrinsic human love for nature and our deep desire to connect with it. All of my work references this human love for nature and how this theme can be integrated into the places we spend most of our lives.
“The Tree House Stairway”
Evidence suggests a positive impact on our well being, health and productivity with even the most subtle shift towards organic design. Nature inspired design connects us to each other and the environment we live in, generating an uplifting celebration of healing and engagement. All of my work references this human love for nature and how this theme can be integrated into the places we spend most of our lives. The two projects featured here encompass these values.
“The Tree House Stairway”
The tree house stairway merges into the architecture and is a personal reflection of the home owner’s style and individuality. The building of something on this scale requires a team effort. I served as artist, designer and project manager for this commission that re-purposed a thirty-five foot tall tree as part of a whimsical staircase and balustrades.
“The Tree House Stairway”
This collaborative project brought together the talents of the architects, builders, contractors and the home owner. The choreography of this project was intense. We used a crane to drop the tree through the roof and position it before we could start on the staircase. It was critically important that the rise and run of steps be correct, and we nailed it.
“Twins” (Hospital Commission) Walnut Wood, LED Backlighting, Mosaic Glass, Architectural Rice Paper,
96″ x 48″ x 4″
Each piece of wood and metal was hand fabricated and installed. It was a tremendous pleasure and honor to create an interactive sculpture that brings both utility and deep aesthetic satisfaction to my client.
“Twins” (Essential Health Lobby)
“Twins” is a new commission artwork created for the North Pine Hospital District in Sandstone, Minnesota. It was fun and challenging to design and engineer.
“Twins” (Detail)
In this mixed media piece, I used LED back lighting, wood, rice paper and mosaic glass to create a painterly composition. I hope to build more of this type of wall relief.
“Twins” (Detail)
The strong Biophilic Design elements contribute to the calming, inviting atmosphere of the hospital’s atrium. This was definitely a successful integration of art and architecture.
Artist Aaron Laux invites you to follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
I wish I had space like you had available when I installed a staircase in an old house I had purchased several years ago. I was limited to a base square about 5×5 feet and had to elevate 3.3 metres. The answer of course was a circular staircase but buying a commercial one with those measurements would have been very costly.
I managed to purchase one with the height but the treads were half the size I needed so I added to them with so oak planks and adjoined them with steel bars. I also had to reverse the rotation and cover the treads with laminated flooring.
The result was functional but your staircase was definitely a work of art and would be a pleasure to use.