folded paper structures become collectible botanical sculptures in poet tree series

Zac Buehner designs foldable paper tree collection for Lovepop

Lovepop presents Poet Tree, a collection of four foldable paper sculptures designed by Zac Buehner that expands the company’s slice-form kirigami techniques beyond greeting cards into freestanding sculptural objects. Developed by Buehner as part of Lovepop’s Da Nang innovation team in Vietnam, the series transforms flat sheets of paper into large-scale tree forms supported by geometric paper pedestals.

Each sculpture unfolds through a single movement, transitioning from a completely flat format into a three-dimensional structure. The project applies Lovepop’s established kirigami system at a significantly larger scale, requiring the internal geometry to be redesigned in order to support freestanding stability. Individual branches and leaves are drawn and positioned separately, producing more irregular and natural tree silhouettes rather than repeated modular forms.

Poet Tree transforms flat paper into freestanding sculptures | all images courtesy of Lovepop unless stated otherwise

foldable paper trees rise from geometric plinth-like pedestals

The collection, developed by designer Zac Buehner, consists of four distinct tree species, each associated with different visual and symbolic references. The Japanese maple appears in deep red tones associated with longevity and prosperity, while the weeping willow uses softer green surfaces linked to resilience. A yellow ginkgo biloba references peace and hope, and the pink cherry blossom reflects ideas of impermanence and seasonal change.

Each tree rises from a foldable cube-like pedestal that references the format of a museum plinth. The geometric base creates a contrast with the organic branching structures above while visually elevating the paper object into a sculptural display piece. Debossed into the pedestal are the opening lines of Joyce Kilmer’s 1913 poem Trees: ‘I think that I shall never see / A poem lovely as a tree.’

The inclusion of the poem connects the collection to broader reflections on nature, observation, and representation. Rather than functioning solely as decorative objects, the paper sculptures introduce literary and symbolic references through material construction and form.

pink cherry blossom branches reflect impermanence and seasonal change

Poet Tree Series combines paper-folding with collectible design

Poet Tree originated from a prompt by Lovepop co-founder John Wise to develop a product line that could operate more directly within the context of art and collectible design. Buehner approached the series as sculpture from the outset, emphasizing display, structure, and spatial presence alongside the folding mechanics traditionally associated with paper engineering.

Constructed entirely from paper using slice-form kirigami techniques, the sculptures maintain Lovepop’s fold-flat functionality while introducing larger dimensions and greater structural complexity. Through the combination of engineered geometry, layered paper construction, and botanical imagery, Poet Tree positions pop-up paper design within the territory of collectible sculptural objects.

debossed poetry is integrated directly into the paper pedestal

a red Japanese maple symbolizes longevity and prosperity

the sculptures fold completely flat when closed

soft green paper defines the weeping willow structure

individual paper leaves create irregular natural silhouettes

the yellow ginkgo biloba references peace and resilience

layered cuts and folds generate depth and shadow | image from video by @thunguyen28746, courtesy of Zac Buehner

project info:

name: Lovepop Poet Trees
designer: Zac Buehner | @zfbuehner
brand: Lovepop | @lovepop

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom