Royal College of Art graduates Thor Ter Kulve and Robert McIntyre recently designed an eco-friendly staircase that makes it fun and easy to climb tress. The two students designed the user-friendly 'CanopyStair' after spending an exhausting day scaling tress in Arizona. While they enjoyed climbing trees, they felt that there must be a way of making it easier to do so.
The CanopyStair is made from birch plywood, which curves around the circumference of the tree. The steps are attached to the trunk of the tree and contain neoprene pads that make it easy to climb. There is also a handrail attached to ensure the safety of those climbing the tree. The design is not only functional, but also eco-friendly. Kulve and McIntyre consulted an arborist when developing the staircase to ensure that their product would not damage any trees.
The eco-friendly staircase is easy to assemble and can be enjoyed by both children and adults alike.
What's Driving This Trend
- Eco-friendly Staircases
- There is an opportunity for businesses to develop eco-friendly staircases that are both functional and visually appealing.
- Tree-climbing Tours
- The CanopyStair may inspire the development of new tree-climbing experiences, such as guided tours and outdoor adventure courses.
- Neoprene Technology
- The use of neoprene pads in the CanopyStair design opens up opportunities for other industries, such as athletic equipment and safety gear.
Who This Affects Most
- Eco-friendly Design
- Companies that specialize in environmentally conscious design and manufacturing should consider branching out into the staircase industry.
- Outdoor Adventure
- The CanopyStair presents an opportunity for outdoor adventure companies to incorporate tree-climbing experiences into their itineraries.
- Athletic Equipment
- Neoprene technology, as witnessed in the CanopyStair's design, can be adopted by the athletic equipment industry, particularly for shoes and gloves that need to provide a good grip.
