The Idea Tree is a 20’ tall canopy in tubular steel radiating out to form large rings which host cable-net and polycarbonate “leaves”, scattering light and gently fluttering in the wind. The tube diameter is optimized to allow the structure to appear feather-light. Originally the architect’s design called for sprouting columns integrated into the overall form. We needed to keep the tubes as separate as possible, but achieve stasis, so LED built upon the design direction to engineer elegant struts between isolated columns in imitation of a strangler fig tree.