The Prototype Branch of the Heron Tree
It is the preview of the major project of the Machines de l’Ile.
A monumental structure in the heart of the city, this steel tree 45 m in diameter and 28 m high will be topped by two herons. Visitors will be able to take a circular flight on the bird’s wings and walk from branch to branch in the amazing hanging gardens.
To provide a preview of the incredible Heron Tree, the branch, which extends out of the front the warehouses and towers over the plaza, is 20 m long and spreads outwards creating a sort of canopy above the terrace of the bar. The steel structure weighs 14 tonnes. The public can walk along the branch at the end of the visit to reach the bar and the gift shop below.
The prototype branch was created during the first phase of the Machines de l’Ile in 2007 to verify the strength and safety of the construction, and to validate the methods used for growing plant life on the tree.
The Model of the Heron Tree
This huge model 5 m in diameter and 4 m high holds pride of place in the Machine Gallery. The steel sculpture was built to test the design and construction the Heron Tree.