# Branching Aerodome Beams The Oita Airport Lounge by Takao Shiotsuka is Inspired by Nature By Meghan Young | Published 2013-01-04 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oita-airport-lounge References: [contemporist](http://www.contemporist.com/2013/01/03/oita-airport-lounge-by-takao-shiotsuka) & [shio-atl](http://www.shio-atl.com/) The land of Japan has an innate beauty and serenity that is reflected in the Oita Airport Lounge. Smack dab in the middle of the room, Japanese architect Takao Shiotsuka has placed a [branching beam](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blue-bottle-coffee-cafe). This beam boasts a strikingly abstract resemblance to a tree. The 'trunk' rises majestically to the ceiling, extending outwards to provide a [visually stunning canopy above](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cs-somme-cafe). Fashioned out of wood, the 'tree' in the middle of the Oita Airport Lounge doubles as a table for which travellers can rest by to write, read or perform any other quiet activity. Complete with frosted glass to separate those within from those without, the Oita Airport Lounge is a sanctuary from the hectic happenings that often occur in such settings. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.3/10 - Popularity: 19% | Activity: 13% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Nature-inspired Architecture:** Designing structures that are inspired by nature can create visually stunning spaces that promote serenity and harmony. - **Dual-purpose Furniture:** Creating functional pieces that serve multiple purposes, like the tree-shaped table in the Oita Airport Lounge, can help maximize limited space. - **Privacy-centered Design:** Incorporating elements like frosted glass into public spaces creates havens of privacy and comfort. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Architecture and Design:** Incorporating nature-inspired elements into architecture and design can create visually stunning and unique spaces. - **Furniture Manufacturing:** The dual-purpose, minimalist design of the table in the Oita Airport Lounge offers a potential direction for furniture manufacturing. - **Airport and Travel Industry:** Iintroducing privacy-centered design concepts, like the use of frosted glass, into airport lounges can create more enjoyable and comfortable travel experiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Garden Lounge Retreats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aspire-westjet-garden.md) - [Valley-Inspired Offices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kitaoka-group-office.md) - [Garden City-Inspired Airport Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/changi-airport-1.md) - [Finnish Airport Lounge Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/helsinki-airport-1.md) - [Expansive Airport Roof Canopies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portland-airport.md) - [Mass-Timber Airport Rooftops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portland-international-airport.md) - [Garden-Like Airport Terminals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kempegowda-international-airport.md) - [Ginza Glossy Lounges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vip-lounge-in-ginza.md) - [Sloped Tea-Room Waiting Areas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sekiyuan.md)