“ We didn’t control everything — we let the technology shape the form and embraced its possibilities. ” - Tanja Smeets
THE STORY BEHIND
When the old chestnut tree in Amsterdam’s Westerpark became sick and had to be removed, the community mourned its loss. For artist Tanja Smeets, the project to create a temporary artwork for the site began with what remained unseen: the root system. Roots symbolize connection, memory, and hidden growth. Instead of a monument to the tree that was lost, her vision was a sculpture that continued to grow in another form—an underground tree brought above ground.
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
Inspired by those fan-like structures, Tanja began sketching and quickly built a small model with a 3D pen. From the start, she envisioned a radiating, organic form that could be seen from the bridge at the entrance to Westerpark, while also serving as a place for people to sit and reflect. She drew inspiration not only from trees, but also from coral—forms that carry a sense of layered, living growth and invite multiple interpretations.
Finding the Right Material.
“Before starting the realization, I had visited a foundry… but aluminum is very difficult to weld, and the welded points are prone to breaking.”
MATERIAL EXPLORATION
Early on, she considered casting the work in aluminum, but foundries quickly raised concerns about strength and durability. The project seemed almost impossible to realize until she was introduced to MX3D. Already familiar with MX3D’s pioneering work, she had assumed the technology would be out of reach. But conversations with the expert team changed everything. We explored possibilities—and the collaboration began.
Growing with Technology.
“The lines created through this technique—the visible traces of the printing—actually became part of the work’s character. They strengthened the idea of growth.”
FROM SKETCH TO STRUCTURE
Working closely with our expert team, Tanja translated her organic sketches into a digital model. Boyan Mihaylov, who developed the final CAD model, approached the form as if it were alive—never drawing straight lines, but weaving a digital “tissue” that wrapped around the structure.
Over 20 iterations of CAD models were created, each exploring depth, complexity, and the illusion of natural emergence. Every adjustment balanced Tanja’s artistic sensibility with the team’s technical intuition, merging analog inspiration with digital design. The 3D printing process itself left visible traces that reinforced the sense of natural growth. Rather than resisting the technology, Tanja embraced its language as part of the sculpture.
The Underground Tree Today.
“Imagine something that looks like it could break at any moment, but in reality, ten people could sit or hang on it. I love that contrast.”
REALIZATION & INSTALLATION
The final piece was printed in stainless steel on MX3D’s M1 Metal AM System. Though it looks delicate and fragile, it is strong enough to be touched, leaned on, and used as a bench. This balance between strength and subtlety reflects the heart of the work. Installed in collaboration with the City of Amsterdam and supported by AFK, the Underground Tree sits beside a newly planted chestnut tree, offering a place of pause, memory, and quiet growth.
