A custom artificial Mediterranean olive tree was designed for Katsuya, located inside Westfield Century City, to serve as a defining focal point within the restaurant’s dining space. The installation introduces organic scale and warmth while integrating seamlessly into Katsuya’s modern, architectural interior.
The Artificial Tree Concept
The artificial olive tree stands 9 feet tall with a 9-foot canopy, creating an immediate sense of place. Rather than act as décor, it anchors the room. As a result, the tree becomes part of the dining experience, not just a visual accent.
Positioned at the heart of a circular dining table, it establishes a sense of place while reinforcing the restaurant’s spatial rhythm and Mediterranean influence.
Designing Within the Table
Integrating a full-scale olive tree into an active dining environment required precise dimensional control. The tree needed to pass cleanly through the table’s center without impacting seating, legroom, or guest circulation, demanding a highly engineered approach.
Engineering the Tree Form
To meet these requirements, the tree was constructed with strict trunk specifications. The potted trunk structure remains under 20 inches in diameter until reaching a height of 42 inches, allowing full functionality at table level. Above this point, the canopy expands naturally, restoring the tree’s intended scale and visual presence.
This level of precision reflects the standards required in custom artificial tree design, where architectural constraints shape the final form.
The Finished Make Be-Leaves Experience
The completed installation delivers a refined balance of realism, proportion, and performance. The custom Mediterranean olive tree enhances the dining environment with natural texture and visual impact, while remaining fully integrated into the restaurant’s layout. The result is a centerpiece that feels intentional, immersive, and unmistakably part of the space.
View more large-scale installations in the Large Artificial Trees category or explore recent projects on the Make Be-Leaves blog.
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