In the Hyatt Regency Trinidad Hotel, all 428 guest rooms have bamboo floors. It, therefore, makes perfect sense that a bamboo-inspired Christmas tree stands in the centre of the hotel's lobby, almost kissing the ceiling. It's the first thing one sees upon entering the front glass doors. Bamboo pieces and German imported rainlights also adorn the lobby's chandeliers. Who was the person behind this creation? None other than designer Brian MacFarlane. Since his first adornment of West Mall in 1984, MacFarlane has become a decorating veteran. This year, his work at the Hyatt, West Mall, Gulf City and Lowlands, Tobago reflects his cutting-edge style.
With a gold sequinned base, the Hyatt's 20-foot tree shoots upward, a complex overlapping of bamboo pieces topped with a spiky gold and silver star. MacFarlane created the towering masterpiece by attaching several bamboo pieces to a metal structure underneath. Although some onlookers comment that there should be gifts at the tree's base, MacFarlane remains adamant that his precise design needs nothing more. He says, "It's very minimalist, clean, very Zen." In the day, the tree shimmers in the sunlight, giving it an almost Carnivalesque look. At night, amber and red LED lights illuminate the tree, giving it a wholly different look. MacFarlane mentions that the tree is particularly stunning at dusk.
When MarFarlane informed Hyatt management of his idea, he hit the nail on the head. Hyatt's marketing communications manager Neemah Persad-Celestine says, "We wanted something different but also something that had a local flavour and was also in keeping with the look and feel of the hotel."
MacFarlane is ecstatic regarding people's response to his design. He admits that this tree is one of his most creative pieces ever, adding, "I would put it in my top ten." How did the tree become reality? After doing some research on Hyatt's characteristic style, MacFarlane considered how he could distinguish the Christmas decorations at Trinidad's Hyatt. In the wee hours of the morning, the concept of a bamboo Christmas tree hit him.
He sketched his ideas furiously on his bedside sketchpad. MacFarlane gets his best ideas between 2 and 4am. When the sun rose, he still asked himself, can this really work? It took two weeks from design to erection of the structure. Designing the tree was particularly challenging. Using 3D computer software, he was able to conceptualise it, estimating how many bamboo pieces he would need. Then bamboo cutters, fabricators and Brian's team all pitched in. First, bamboo stems were cut on a moonless night. They were fumigated, dried and painted with a green wash.
Individual strips of gold and silver sequinned material were then glued to each piece. Holes were drilled at the top of each piece. Wire was then threaded through and each piece attached to a metal skeleton. MacFarlane used bamboo pieces of different lengths and thicknesses to give the tree a balanced look. Even though some artists would be daunted by the challenge of bringing a creation to reality, MacFarlane is different. He says, "Because I am spiritual, all my ideas are from God." Maurice Chevalier, MacFarlane's work colleague, adds, "If he gets inspired, he sticks with it even if he is aware of obstacles."
