AIR...Tree A Last Minute Special Project While Celebrity Solstice was in the mid-Atlantic crossing from Germany to Fort Lauderdale in anticipation of her inaugural festivities, the chairman of Royal Caribbean, Richard Fain, decided the ship was missing something. He wished to add a signature art piece in the ship’s 12-story high Atrium. Scott Butler was called to Miami for an emergency meeting. With a three-hour plane ride to ponder the situation, he arrived with a novel alternative. Why not suspend a “living” tree? This would not only tie into the green initiatives provided on the ship, including solar panels, advanced wastewater purification and substantially reduced energy consumption; but it would also be opposite the Team Earth venue on Deck 7; an interactive exhibit co-sponsored with Conservation International to raise passenger awareness and sensitivity to their natural environment. Hence, this project was conceived, designed, engineered, fabricated and installed in 5 days - a story in and of itself. Celebrity Solstice now has the first suspended tree that is, in fact, growing beneath the Lawn. clockwise, beginning top left: tree on the pier, welding the planter, installing, tree in place.