Joe Tursi, masters student in the Sustainable Design course at Philadelphia University, saw an alternative use for one of the larger scenic pieces we have in the store…the giant metal umbrellas that were saved from the 2013 Philadelphia Flower Show! Here’s our ED Karyn helping Joe get the umbrella out of the store and into his truck…

Joe rented one of the umbrellas for his project that was part of the CABE (collaborative architecture and built environment) studio. He and the other students in the program had to design a culinary school using an existing building in Philadelphia. Since his design incorporated sensory elements and shadows, Joe said,

“I wanted to create an entrance into our project that the reviewers and other students could experience what we were talking about first hand.  The umbrella made a perfect roof that we covered in cardboard and cut out patterns, so when light filtered through it, it made similar shadow patterns to what would be on a forest canopy.  Our goal was to bring the outside indoors through biophilia and shadows.”  

These umbrellas, that would have gone to landfill, have been reused in creative ways since the re team saved them in 2013. They got a second life in a local photographer’s fashion shoot, they got a third life in Joe’s sustainable design project, and next they are on their way to decorate TerraCycle‘s new space…details on their move to come!