Case Study Resort - Silk Thumb

Case Study:

Large-Scale Orlando Resort: Faux Plant Design for Immersive Environments

The Silk Thumb was proud to collaborate on a luxury resort in Orlando Florida.

Working alongside architects, engineers, designers, and project stakeholders, The Silk Thumb helped integrate custom faux plant elements that support storytelling, scale, and long-term durability across multiple environments.

Project Snapshot

Project: New luxury resort, hotel, lobby, and restaurant

Location: Orlando, Florida

Project Type: Large-scale themed entertainment, hospitality & public spaces

Client Team: Owner / Developer • Architects • Engineers • Designers • Construction Teams

Scope of Work: Custom faux plant design, fabrication, and installation across interior and exterior environments

Key Requirements: Fire-retardant materials • UV resistance • Structural integration • Guest safety • Sightlines • Longevity • Complex installation logistics

The Challenge

Our client was designing a a fully immersive experience—where every detail contributes to storytelling, atmosphere, and emotional impact.

The challenge was to integrate large-scale plant elements that:

Felt authentic and cinematic
Supported themed architecture without overpowering it
Met strict safety, fire, and durability standards
Withstood Florida’s environmental conditions
Required no ongoing maintenance in high-traffic guest areas

ive plants were not feasible in many areas due to scale, exposure, lighting, and long-term operational constraints. Faux plant solutions needed to perform at the highest level—both visually and technically.

The Silk Thumb Approach

Early collaboration. Precise planning. Flawless execution.

The Silk Thumb joined the project as a design partner, collaborating closely with architects, engineers, and project teams to ensure plant elements were integrated seamlessly into the built environment—not added as decorative afterthoughts.

Every decision balanced creativity with technical performance.

Phase 1: Concept Development & Collaboration

Julie Brugioni and The Silk Thumb team worked closely with the design teams to understand:

The narrative intent of each space
Architectural scale and sightlines
Guest flow and interaction points
Environmental exposure and access limitations

This collaborative approach ensured that plant design reinforced the immersive experience while respecting architectural and engineering constraints.

Phase 2: Technical Planning & Engineering Coordination

Given the scale and complexity of Epic Universe, technical planning was critical.

The Silk Thumb coordinated plant solutions that accounted for:

Structural attachment and support
Load considerations for overhead and elevated elements
Fire-retardant materials and code compliance
UV exposure and material longevity
Installation sequencing within active construction zones

All plant elements were reviewed to ensure safety, durability, and seamless integration.

Phase 3: Custom Fabrication & Curation

Rather than relying on off-the-shelf products, The Silk Thumb custom curated and fabricated plant elements specifically for the project.

This included:

Custom trees and foliage scaled to architectural proportions
Individually selected and placed foliage for realism
Materials chosen to maintain consistency across large spaces
Finishes designed to read as natural at both close range and distance

Much of the work was fabricated off-site to allow for efficient on-site installation.

Phase 4: Installation & On-Site Coordination

Installation required close coordination with:

General contractors
Site supervisors
Lift and rigging teams
Other trades working simultaneously

The Silk Thumb worked within tight schedules and controlled access windows, ensuring installations were completed efficiently, safely, and without disruption to adjacent work.

The Result

The completed plant installations contribute to Epic Universe’s immersive environments in a way that feels natural, intentional, and effortless.

The faux plant elements:

Enhance storytelling and atmosphere
Perform consistently in demanding conditions
Require no ongoing maintenance
Meet all safety and performance standards

For guests, the experience feels seamless. For the project team, the plant design solution delivered long-term value without added operational burden.

Why This Project Matters

This project represents the highest level of themed environment design. Participation in this project reflects The Silk Thumb’s ability to:

Collaborate effectively on large, complex builds
Meet rigorous technical and safety requirements
Deliver custom plant solutions at scale
Perform reliably within demanding construction timelines

It reinforces The Silk Thumb’s role as a trusted partner for architects, engineers, and owners on high-profile projects.