Tulip Poplar Wall
Tree bark is magical—it is full of life, waterproof, fire-resistant, and can last for 80–100 years.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) commissioned this sculptural element for one of their spaces to introduce texture, warm tones, and a natural element into the environment.
The Tulip Poplar Wall is crafted from a unique tree species, the Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera). Native to the Mid-Atlantic and Appalachian regions, this tree’s large blossoms are vital to pollinators and native birds. Its tall, straight trunks have been used for millennia by Indigenous peoples to create dugout canoes, traditional crafts like basket weaving, and as building materials. In early spring, as water moves upward from the roots through the cambium layer of the trunk, the bark loosens and can be easily harvested with basic tools.
The trees used for this installation were wind-downed or dying and were gathered locally. Before the lumber was milled, To Be Done Studio salvaged the bark by hand and attached it to panels for display in the NRDC's Washington, DC, office. The wide arcs of the panels evoke the sensation of moving through the dense forests of the region, bringing the essence of the outdoors into the office interior.
