Spatial

David Trubridge 34 Ruru

Finalist
2025 Lighting Design
Credits
  • Pou Auaha / Creative Director
    David Trubridge
  • Ringatoi Matua / Design Director
    Marion Courtillé-Heays
  • Ngā Kaimahi / Team Members
    Ross Mackay, Stepan Broz, Andrew Robertson, Paige Lockwood
  • Kaitautoko / Contributor
    Nox the Ruru
  • Client
    Rotorua Redwoods Treewalk and Nightlights
Description:

"Ruru" is a pivotal visual feature of the Rotorua's redwoods Treewalk experience.

This grand 8-metre-wide lantern sculpture soars 9 metres above the forest floor. As both a celebration of native wildlife and a call to conservation, "Ruru" merges storytelling, sustainability and spatial design within a beloved New Zealand tourism destination.

“Each element of "Ruru"’s design, from its feather patterns to its structure, connects it visually and materially to the existing installations — bringing the essence of New Zealand’s native birds into the forest canopy.”
Bruce Thomasen, Managing Director, Redwoods Treewalk