From Steel Columns to Storybook Trees: Transforming Coca-Cola Park
At Paradise Labs, we love a challenge—especially when it means turning an ordinary structural element into something that feels completely at home in an immersive environment.
For a recent project at Coca-Cola Park, our team transformed exposed steel columns into realistic, fire-safe trees designed to withstand the demands of a high-traffic public space. The result is a seamless blend of artistry, craftsmanship, and performance that demonstrates what’s possible when creative fabrication meets professional-grade materials.
Building Realism from Steel
Creating realistic trees around structural columns required more than simply making something that looked like wood. The finished installation needed to be durable, highly detailed, and suitable for a public environment where safety and long-term performance were essential.
Using a combination of Smooth-On® materials, Paradise Labs built layered surfaces that captured the organic texture and character of real trees while providing the strength and reliability needed for the setting.
The process incorporated Rebound® silicone, Free Form™ Habitat™ Fire Safe™, and Maker Pro Paints®, each playing an important role in bringing the finished trees to life.
Where Art Meets Performance
The project is a great example of our approach at Paradise Labs: we don't see fabrication and creativity as separate disciplines. The best immersive environments bring the two together.
From sculpting realistic forms and textures to selecting materials that can perform in real-world conditions, every detail matters. In this case, the challenge was to create something visually convincing while meeting the practical requirements of a busy public venue.
The finished trees seamlessly integrate with their surroundings, transforming exposed structural columns into an unexpected natural element and adding another layer of visual storytelling to the space.
Built for the Real World
Projects like this demonstrate why material selection is such an important part of exhibit and environment fabrication. Realistic finishes need to do more than look good—they need to stand up to the environments where people interact with them.
At Paradise Labs, we bring together design, fabrication, materials expertise, and problem-solving to create immersive installations that are made to perform. Whether we're building a museum exhibit, a zoo habitat, an interactive experience, or a one-of-a-kind sculptural element, we approach every project with the same commitment to craftsmanship and durability. The Coca-Cola Park tree installation is one more example of how thoughtful design and professional fabrication can transform the ordinary into something memorable.
