McLaren's Tree of Prosperity to be Awarded for Outstanding Achievement

McLaren has again earned international acclaim for demonstrating superior vision and innovation in its engineering work.

The "Tree of Prosperity,” a “kinetic” atrium at the Wynn Casino in Macau, China, will be honored in March with the Themed Entertainment Association’s Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement (AOA) – a prize in which projects from around the world are considered. The elegant and unique atrium, driven by several large, custom mechanical assemblies that McLaren designed, morphs from one architectural form to another in front of the patrons, creating an inspiring spectacle unlike any other.

The star of the show – the golden “Tree” – is unveiled through a partial dome in the atrium’s floor, which breaks into six parts and creates an opening for a mechanical lift to elevate the Tree into full view. The Tree revolves as it rises and is a symbol of good luck in the local Chinese culture.

The act also features a 65 ft. diameter sculpted dome ceiling marked with the Chinese zodiac that opens into a 12-section iris. The iris unfurls to reveal an overhead LED screen, which, in turn, splits into two halves to expose a black void filled with a 30 ft. diameter chandelier. The chandelier, which contains 15,000 crystals embedded with an LED for dynamic illumination, then changes shape vertically as it lowers into the space.

McLaren’s acceptance of the 2009 Thea Award is telling, both for the firm and for the state of mechanized entertainment engineering. While the Wynn Macau kinetic atrium has raised the bar in the themed entertainment sphere, the award further solidifies McLaren’s place among the engineering elite. In 2008, the firm received the Thea Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement for its work on Cirque du Soleil’s “KA” Floating Stage, making this the second year in a row that McLaren has garnered the AOA.

McLaren was involved with the Wynn Macau kinetic atrium project from start to finish, beginning with concept level feasibility studies, computerized pre-visualization animations, preliminary engineering, development of technical specifications, bidding support, and final design of the major effects. McLaren’s designs included major structural assemblies, motorized electric actuation systems, cable driven winches, as well as integration of architectural finishes and production elements.

The firm’s participation continued beyond the design phase, including full-time technical representation on behalf of the Owner in the fabrication shop and then on site during installation.

The Award will be presented on March 7, at the 15th Annual Thea Awards Gala at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim.