Urban Furnishing

furnishing

collect | transform | share

furnishing

collect | transform | share

A DESIGN COLL ABOR ATION BET WEEN GOOD + A AU TO SOLVE FOR REGIONAL PROBLEMS IN SAN FRANCISCO. BY

SARAH SEWARD / K AYL A FERRIERA / SA NGUYEN

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

—TOM ZART

SAN FRANCISCO’s

FLOATING FLEA MARKET

table of contents

01

OVERVIEW \\s e c t i o n 1 :

Mission \\s e c t i o n 2 :

Relation to sustainability

02

DEFINING THE PROBLEM \\s e c t i o n 1 :

Transience among residents \\s e c t i o n 2 :

Illegal dumping

03

\\s e c t i o n 3 :

\\s e c t i o n 1 :

04

Unsustainable consumption

DESIGNING A SOLUTION Urban Furnishing \\s e c t i o n 2 :

Life Cycle \\s e c t i o n 3 :

Refresh \\s e c t i o n 4 :

Refurbish \\s e c t i o n 5 :

Repurpose

RAISING AWARENESS

\\s e c t i o n 1 :

A GOOD alternative \\s e c t i o n 2 :

Outdoor Promo Events \\s e c t i o n 3 :

Sidewalk PSAs \\s e c t i o n 4 :

Decals and such

05

CONCLUSION

\\s e c t i o n 1 :

Recap problem and solution

01

OVERVIEW

\\PROBLEM \\SOLUTION \\MISSION & SU

Pa g e 8 \\s e c t i o n 1 :

Over view

USTAINABILITY

section 1:

Over view

\\Pa g e 9

Pa g e 1 0 \\s e c t i o n 1 :

Over view

Urban furnishing IS A DESIGN SOLUTION TO THE GROWING PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL FURNITURE DUMPING AND UNSUSTAINABLE FURNITURE CONSUMPTION IN SAN FRANCISCO.

section 1:

Over view

\\Pa g e 1 1

Pa g e 1 2 \\s e c t i o n 1 :

Over view

PROJECT MISSION + RELATION TO SUSTAINABILTY \\ SECTION 1

This way, the materials stay in the cycle of use for longer, providing a sustainable alternative to consuming more of the planet’s increasingly rare raw resources.

01

OVERVIEW

Our mission is to keep abandoned furniture off the streets and out of the landfill by refreshing, refurbishing or repurposing it.

\\ SECTION 2

Combine people relocating constantly and inconvenient or expensive disposal of unwanted furnishings and you end up with an abundance of abandoned furniture on the city’s streets. Most of these furnishings are picked up by the Department of Public Works (DPW) on the city’s dime. To make matters worse, after dumping their old furniture, people tend to purchase new goods manufactured using increasingly limited raw resources, continuing the cycle of unsustainable consumption.

section 1:

Over view

\\Pa g e 1 3

02

DEFINING THE PROBLEM

\\TRANSIENCE \\ILLEGAL DUMP UNSUSTAINAB

Pa g e 14 \\s e c t i o n 2 :

Defining the Problem

PING & CYCLE OF BLE CONSUMPTION

section 2:

Defining the Problem

\\Pa g e 1 5

TRANSIENCE AMONG RESIDENTS

02

DEFINING THE PROBLEM

\\ SECTION 1

Pa g e 1 6 \\s e c t i o n 2 :

San Francisco is a city of exceptional transience in housing.

Its residents move freely from apartment to apartment, neighborhood to neighborhood with hardly a backward glance at the items they leave behind. Many of San Francisco’s residents are students or employees that have relocated to pursue the city’s abundant opportunities. As transplants, they often move several times before settling into a housing situation that suits them for long-term habitation.

Defining the Problem

>60%

San Franciscans rent using month-to-month housing leases.

3,210

Average number of homes and rentals listed on the San Francisco real estate market each day.

section 2:

Defining the Problem

\\Pa g e 17

ILLEGAL DUMPING

02

DEFINING THE PROBLEM

\\ SECTION 2

No one is quite sure exactly when the city’s furniture market of the streets began. A good guess is that its origins date back to the days when Norcal Waste Systems (the owner of San Francisco’s two waste-disposal companies, Sunset Scavenger and Golden Gate Disposal) offered to pick up an entire block’s bigger items, including furniture, one day a year. As word of the furniture bonanza that could be had at these events spread, entrepreneurial types began trolling the neighborhoods in pickups to snag the best items, leaving a mess in their wake.

Some homeowners began putting out 10 to 12 items at a time.

People from other parts of town even began hauling their junk to the designated neighborhood.

To stem the tide, in the late ‘90s Norcal switched to an appointment-based system for these pickups. Called “bulky item collection,” it is available twice a year to anyone who gets a garbage bill in San Francisco; the cost is already figured into the garbage bill. Residents call Norcal, tell them what they want to have picked up, make an appointment and put the item out with a sign saying “B.I.C.” attached the night before. Renters who don’t receive garbage bills can arrange with their landlords for a bulkyitem pickup.

Pa g e 1 8 \\s e c t i o n 2 :

Defining the Problem

section 2:

Defining the Problem

\\Pa g e 1 9

Areas with higher population densities and lower average incomes are often the ares where illegal dumping is most concentrated. The demographics in these areas are consistent with those that are highly transient and likely unaware of responsible alternatives to illegally dumping their furnishings when they move onto a new living arrangement.

02

DEFINING THE PROBLEM

\\ ILLEGAL DUMPING

Pa g e 2 0 \\s e c t i o n 2 :

Defining the Problem

section 2:

Defining the Problem

\\Pa g e 2 1

S A N F R A N C I S C O ’S S O - C A L L E D “ F L O AT I N G F L E A M A R K E T ” O F T E N B E N E F I T S T H O S E W H O L E AV E T H I N G S O U T A N D T H O S E W H O P I C K T H I N G S U P, B U T T H E R E A R E S I G N I F I C A N T D I S A D VA N TA G E S T O T HE P R AC T ICE OF A B A NDONING F URNISHING ON T HE SIDE WA L K . BESIDES BEING IL L EGA L , I T O F T E N C R E AT E S T R O U B L E A N D E X P E N S E F O R T H E C I T Y A N D B L I G H T S N E I G H B O R H O O D S W H E N T H I N G S A R E N ’ T C L A I M E D I M M E D I AT E LY, O R AT A L L .

C L E A R LY, N O T E V E R Y I T E M F I N D S A N E W H O M E . A C C O R D I N G T O S TAT I S T I C S P R O V I D E D B Y S A N F R A N C I S C O ’S D E P A R T M E N T O F P U B L I C W O R K S , L A S T Y E A R T H E C I T Y R E C E I V E D N E A R LY 17, 0 0 0 C A L L S T O P I C K U P D U M P E D F U R N I T U R E . L A S T Y E A R ’S H A U L I N C L U D E D 3 ,7 5 8 S O F A S , 6 , 8 1 1 M AT T R E S S E S ,

02

DEFINING THE PROBLEM

\\ ITEMS

1 , 1 6 3 TA B L E S A N D C H A I R S , 6 5 3 B E D S A N D D E S K S , 5 1 0 P I E C E S O F M I S C E L L A N E O U S F U R N I T U R E A N D 69 TELEVISIONS.

\\ COST

T H E T O TA L C O S T T O T H E C I T Y I S H A R D T O D E T E R M I N E B E C A U S E F U R N I T U R E I S M I X E D I N W I T H O T H E R R E F U S E D E S T I N E D F O R T H E D U M P. I T I S C U R R E N T LY E S T I M AT E D T H AT D E A L I N G W I T H I L L E G A L D U M P I N G C O S T S C I T Y TA X P AY E R S $ 4 M I L L I O N E A C H Y E A R .

Pa g e 2 2 \\s e c t i o n 2 :

Defining the Problem

NORTH BEACH RUSSIAN HILL

MARINA PRESIDIO COW HOLLOW PACIFIC HEIGH T S

NOB HILL

FINANCIAL DISTRIC

DOWNTOWN WESTERN ADDITION RICHMOND H AY E S VA L L E Y

HAIGHT ASHBURY

SOUTH BEACH

TENDERLOIN

SOUTH OF MARKET MISSION B AY

B U E N A V I S TA

G O L D E N G AT E P A R K

COLE VA L L E Y SUNSET

CORONA HEIGHTS

T WIN PEAKS

EUREK A VA L L E Y

POTRERO HILL

N O E VA L L E Y

INNER MISSION

W E S T P O R TA L PA RKSIDE

BERNAL HEIGHTS

BALBOA TERRACE

B AY V I E W

GL EN PA RK

INGLESIDE TERRACE

S I LV E R TERRACE PORTOL A

STONESTOWN

MERCED HEIGHTS

INGLESIDE

E XCEL SIOR

OUTER MISSION OCEANVIEW

HUNTERS POINT

V I S I TA C I O N VA L L E Y

CANDLESTICK POINT

MAP OF ILLEGAL DUMPING IN SAN FRANCISCO

ILLEGAL DUMPING

MEDIUM INCOME + H I G H P O P U L AT I O N

LOW INCOME + H I G H P O P U L AT I O N

HIGH INCOME + M E D I U M P O P U L AT I O N

section 2:

Defining the Problem

\\Pa g e 2 3

Pa g e 2 4 \\s e c t i o n 2 :

Defining the Problem

section 2:

Defining the Problem

\\Pa g e 2 5

UNSUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION

02

DEFINING THE PROBLEM

\\ SECTION 3

RESOURCES EXTRACTED

FURNITURE CREATED

Only 1% of materials harvested to create a product sold in the US are still in the cycle of use after 6 months.

\\LANDFILL STATS I T I S E S T I M AT E D T H AT B Y 2 0 1 5 , W E W I L L S P E N D $ 1 2 1 .7 B I L L I O N T O R E - F U R B I S H O U R H O M E S W I T H NEW FURNITURE PIECES. WHEN WE BUY THIS NEW STUFF OUR OLD FURNITURE OF TEN ENDS UP IN T H E G A R B A G E . T H E U . S . E P A R E P O R T E D T H AT F U R N I T U R E A C C O U N T E D F O R 8 . 8 M I L L I O N T O N S , O R 3 . 6 P E R C E N T, O F O U R T R A S H S T R E A M I N 2 0 0 5 (Q U A D R U P L E T H E T O N N A G E I N 1 9 6 0) .

Pa g e 2 6 \\s e c t i o n 2 :

Defining the Problem

SOLD IN STORES

CONSUMED

L ANDFILL

\\DEFORESTATION STATS T H E P L A N E T H A S L O S T N E A R LY H A L F O F I T S F O R E S T E D A R E A I N T H E PA S T 8 , 0 0 0 Y E A R S , W I T H T H E M A J O R I T Y O F T H I S L O S S O C C U R R I N G I N T H E 2 0 T H C E N T U R Y. B E T W E E N 1 9 8 0 A N D 1 9 9 5 A L O N E , AT L E A S T T W O M I L L I O N S Q U A R E K I L O M E T E R S O F F O R E S T S W E R E D E S T R O Y E D, A N A R E A L A R G E R T H A N M E X I C O .

section 2:

Defining the Problem

\\Pa g e 2 7

UNSUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION \\ GLOBAL IMPACT A SERIOUS DENT IN OUR GLOBAL FORESTS. IF THE PIECE OF FURNITURE IS MADE FROM “E XOTIC” WOOD L I K E T E A K , I T I S L I K E LY S O U R C E D F R O M O L D G R O W T H F O R E S T S I N I N D O N E S I A , P E R U O R B R A Z I L . E V E N I F Y O U R N E W F U R N I T U R E I S N ’ T R A R E W O O D , I T M AY B E E M I T T I N G S O M E N O T- S O - G O O D C H E M I C A L S I N T O T H E A I R . A D H E S I V E S , S E A L A N T S A N D P A I N T S O N H O U S E H O L D F U R N I T U R E E M I T V O C S ( V O L AT I L E O R G A N I C C O M P O U N D S ) I N T O T H E A I R , W H I C H C A N I R R I TAT E L U N G S , E Y E S A N D I M M U N E S Y S T E M S . S O M E VOCS ARE PROVEN CARCINOGENS IN ANIMALS.

02

DEFINING THE PROBLEM

IF YOUR HOUSEHOL D F URNI T URE IS M A DE OU T OF WOOD, I T COUL D BE SOURCED FROM A REGION M A K ING

1

2

Pa g e 2 8 \\s e c t i o n 2 :

Defining the Problem

3

1. PERU

2. BRAZIL

3. INDONESIA

section 2:

Defining the Problem

\\Pa g e 2 9

03

DESIGNING A SOLUTION

\\BREAKING THE \\PROVIDING AN TO UNSUSTAIN

Pa g e 3 0 \\s e c t i o n 3 :

Designing a Solution

E CYCLE ALTERNATIVE NABLE CONSUMPTION

section 3:

Designing a Solution

\\Pa g e 3 1

INTRODUCING URBAN FURNISHING Urban Furnishing is an operational base that serves as a central hub for collecting abandoned furniture and placing it on one of three appropriate second life paths. Urban Furnishing is a hive of community partnership, gorund-breaking design and awareness campaigning.

Some of the main activities going on at Urban Furnishing include:

03

DESIGNING A SOLUTION

\\ SECTION 1

Pa g e 3 2 \\s e c t i o n 3 :

• Par tnering with SF Recology to collect abandoned furniture and bring it back to Urban Furnishing • Refresh processing: sanitizing and sprucing furniture suitable for near immediate reentr y into marketplace • Refurbish processing: sanitizing the frame and replacing the sof t matter on furniture to be auctioned as one-of-kind • Repurpose processing: breaking down furniture unsuitable for continued use as is and reassembling separate components for a new purpose • Implementing public awareness campaigns aler ting the community to Urban Furnishing as an alternative to illegal dumping and source of desirable, locally and sustainably manufactured furnishings.

Designing a Solution

section 3:

Designing a Solution

\\Pa g e 3 3

URBAN FURNISHING LIFECYCLE

03

DESIGNING A SOLUTION

\\ SECTION 1

RESOURCES EXTRACTED

FURNITURE CREATED

RENTED/SOLD

\\ IDEAL LIFECYCLE W I T H U r b a n F u r n i s h i n g W E H AV E I D E N T I F I E D T H R E E K E Y A R E A S F O R B R E A K I N G T H E L I N E A R L I F E C Y C L E OF FURNITURE, KEEPING ABANDONED FURNISHINGS OFF THE STREETS AND OUT OF THE L ANDFILL. THEY ARE REFRESH, REFURBISH AND REPURPOSE.

Pa g e 3 4 \\s e c t i o n 3 :

Designing a Solution

REFRESH

REFURBISH

CONSUMED

REPURPOSE

C O N S U M P T I O N P AT H U P C Y C L I N G P AT H

section 3:

Designing a Solution

\\Pa g e 3 5

The thing I love most about shopping for vintage furniture is it’s a lot like treasure hunting, you seek out these wonderful little surprises, it’s so much better than ordering from a boring catalogue. —Denise, 26 Bernal Heights

Pa g e 3 6 \\s e c t i o n 3 :

Designing a Solution

section 3:

Designing a Solution

\\Pa g e 3 7

Pa g e 3 8 \\s e c t i o n 3 :

Designing a Solution

SOLUTION: REFRESH The refresh process applies to furniture that is suitable for reuse after being sanitized.

The process: 1/ PICK UP UNWANTED FURNIT URE 2/ SANITIZE IT 3/ RENT IT AT LOW COST VIA URBAN FURNISHING L IBR ARY: E XCHANGE OR RE T URN PIECES AT ANY TIME.

03

DESIGNING A SOLUTION

\\ SECTION 2

\\ ABOUT THE REFRESH PIECES T H E R E F R E S H P R O C E S S I S T H E S I M P L E S T, M O S T C O S T- E F F E C T I V E O F T H E T H R E E S E C O N D - L I F E P AT H S O F F E R E D AT U r b a n F u r n i s h i n g . T O B E C O N S I D E R E D F O R T H I S L I F E P AT H P I E C E S M U S T B E M A D E O F M AT E R I A L S T H AT A R E S U I TA B L E F O R S A N I T I Z I N G ( W O O D , V I N Y L , M E TA L , E T C ) A N D B E F R E E O F M A J O R D A M A G E . T H E P I E C E S R E S U LT I N G F R O M T H E R E F R E S H P R O C E S S A R E P E R F E C T F O R F O L K S W H O L O V E T H E S H A B B Y- C H I C S T Y L E A N D A R E F U R N I S H I N G T H E I R S P A C E O N A B U D G E T. T H E R E F R E S H P I E C E S A R E AVA I L A B L E T H R O U G H A U N I Q U E C O M M U N I T Y E X C H A N G E P R O G R A M AT U r b a n F u r n i s h i n g .

section 3:

Designing a Solution

\\Pa g e 3 9

Pa g e 4 0 \\s e c t i o n 3 :

Designing a Solution

SOLUTION: REFRESH

03

DESIGNING A SOLUTION

\\ THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF furniture library

In societies saturated by hyper-consumption, the joy of acquiring a new piece of furniture and knowing with satisfaction that it’s yours, is familiar. Equally recognizable, though, is that creeping anxiety when the sheen starts to fade and your mind gets distracted with a new, better, life-improving version, and at this intersection, ownership becomes a pain, a burden. The furniture’s value becomes outweighed by concerns of maintenance, optimization of use, and finding a good home for your once-loved product, be it through recycling or re-use.

This cycle seems to be becoming ever-shorter, especially in the Western world where some products are designed to fail, and both people and businesses are developing strategies to deal with the highs and lows of ownership.

At Urban Furnishing we created the Furniture Library to respond to this cycle. With increased connectivity through modern technology, we network locally, share , swap, borrow and trade refreshed furnishings.

section 3:

Designing a Solution

\\Pa g e 4 1

\\ BEFORE

Pa g e 4 2 \\s e c t i o n 3 :

Designing a Solution

\\ AFTER

I N A N E F F O R T T O E L E VAT E S E C O N D H A N D F U R N I T U R E , U R B A N F U R N I S H I N G C O L L A B O R AT E S W I T H LOCAL ARTISTS TO TRANSFORM DRAB FURNITURE INTO UNIQUE WORKS OF ART WORTHY OF ANY HOME.

section 3:

Designing a Solution

\\Pa g e 4 3

\\ BEFORE

Pa g e 4 4 \\s e c t i o n 3 :

Designing a Solution

\\ AFTER

I N T H I S C A S E , A L I T T L E P A I N T O N T H E F R A M E A N D S O M E D E C O R AT I V E F A B R I C B R E AT H E S N E W L I F E INTO THIS PIECE AND GIVES IT A ST YLE ALL ITS OWN.

section 3:

Designing a Solution

\\Pa g e 4 5

“Not long ago, I was driving through San Francisco’s affluent Forest Hill neighborhood when an uncontrollable attack of “freebie-itis”—a deep fascination with furniture items left by the side of the road—hit me. in this case, a ‘70s-era Danish-inspired swivel of fice chair caught my eye. Its torn orange vinyl and rusty chrome had seen better days, but I didn’t care. It didn’t even have a “ free” sign on it. A sign was not needed. I knew what I had found: a gif t from the free-furniture gods. I pulled over to inspect it.”

Pa g e 4 6 \\s e c t i o n 3 :

Designing a Solution

section 3:

Designing a Solution

\\Pa g e 4 7

SOLUTION: REFURBISH The refurbish process applies to furniture that is suitable for reuse after sprucing up the frame and replacing the batting and material.

The process:

03

DESIGNING A SOLUTION

\\ SECTION 3

1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6/

PICK UP UNWANTED FURNIT URE ASSESS FR AME AND BAT TING CONDITION ACUIRE NE W BAT TING/MATERIAL REPAINT, VARNISH, E TC FR AME RE ASSEMBL E FURNIT URE AUC TION REFURBISHED PIECES AT NO-T WO-AL IKE AUC TION

\\ Urban Furnishing AUCTIONS

No-Two-Alike is a quarterly auction held at Urban Furnishing where furniture fashionistas can check out the newest refurbished pieces offered by Urban Furnishing. Proceeds from the auction go back into sustaining Urban Furnishing partnership for education.

Pa g e 4 8 \\s e c t i o n 3 :

Designing a Solution

\\ ABOUT THE REFRESH PIECES T H E R E F U R B I S H P R O C E S S I S T H E M O S T C O M P L E X O F T H E T H R E E S E C O N D - L I F E P AT H S O F F E R E D AT U r b a n F u r n i s h i n g . T O B E C O N S I D E R E D F O R T H I S L I F E P AT H P I E C E S M U S T B E O F VA L U E T O B E G I N W I T H , F O R E X A M P L E V I N TA G E O R A N T I Q U E F R A M I N G . T H E P I E C E S R E S U LT I N G F R O M T H E R E F U R B I S H P R O C E S S A R E C O L L E C T O R S P I E C E S P E R F E C T F O R T H O S E W I T H A TA S T E F O R F I N E F U R N I S H I N G S A N D A P P R E C I AT I O N F O R V I N TA G E F U R N I T U R E . T H E R E F U R B I S H E D P I E C E S A R E AVA I L A B L E T H R O U G H A U N I Q U E A U C T I O N P R O G R A M AT U r b a n F u r n i s h i n g .

\\ PARTNERING FOR EDUCATION T H E U N I Q U E S E L L I N G P O I N T O F T H E R E F U R B I S H E D P I E C E S A U C T I O N E D V I A N O -T W O - A L I K E I S T H AT T H E Y A R E F R U I T S O F A L A B O U R O F L O V E . E A C H P I E C E I S C A R E F U L LY R E F U R B I S H E D B Y A N U P A N D C O M I N G A P P R E N T I C E C A R P E N T E R / D E S I G N E R U N D E R T H E W I N G O F A TA L E N T E D M A S T E R C A R P E N T E R D E S I G N E R W H O H A S C H O S E N T O V O L U N T E E R H I S O R H E R T I M E AT U r b a n F u r n i s h i n g B Y P A R T I C I P AT I N G IN OUR MENTORING PROGRAM. EACH REFURBISH PIECE IS A SINGUL AR SYNTHESIS OF YOUTH, C R E AT I V I T Y, E X P E R I E N C E A N D S K I L L .

section 3:

Designing a Solution

\\Pa g e 4 9

\\ BEFORE

Pa g e 5 0 \\s e c t i o n 3 :

Designing a Solution

\\ AFTER

S O M E T I M E S A L L A P I E C E N E E D S I S A L I T T L E I M A G I N AT I O N A S I N T H E C A S E O F T H I S C H A I R . A G R A P H I C P AT T E R N E D F A B R I C A N D N E W B AT T I N G T H I S T R A N S F O R M T H E P I E C E I N T O A H I P P L A C E T O R E L A X .

section 3:

Designing a Solution

\\Pa g e 5 1

\\ BEFORE

Pa g e 5 2 \\s e c t i o n 3 :

Designing a Solution

\\ AFTER

AGA IN W E SEE T HE POS SIBIL I T IES W HEN URBA N F URNISH PA RT NERS W I T H LOCA L A RT ISTS TO TURN MUNDANE FURNITURE INTO STUNNING AND ST YLISH PIECES.

section 3:

Designing a Solution

\\Pa g e 5 3

Pa g e 5 4 \\s e c t i o n 3 :

Designing a Solution

section 3:

Designing a Solution

\\Pa g e 5 5

“Overlooking the fresh graffiti, I found that the chair swiveled in all directions and was ripped in only one spot NOTHING A LIT TLE DUCT TAPE COULDN’T FIX. A CLOSER LOOK ALSO REVEALED IT WAS A PRICEY STEEL CASE MODEL. OBLIVIOUS TO MORNING COMMUTERS, I CRAMMED THE FIND INTO MY STATION WAGON.”

Pa g e 5 6 \\s e c t i o n 3 :

Designing a Solution

section 3:

Designing a Solution

\\Pa g e 5 7

SOLUTION: REPURPOSE The Repurpose path involves breaking down furniture for a new life. The process goes like this: 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/

03

DESIGNING A SOLUTION

\\ SECTION 4

BRE AK DOWN E XISTING PIECE OF FURNIT URE SORT VARIOUS MATERIAL S RECOMBINE USABL E MATERIAL S TO CRE ATE UNIQUE DESIGNS RECYCL E UNUSABL E MATERIAL S RESPONSIBLY

To the uninspired eye, many abandoned items might look like they are at the end of the road and destined for the landfill. At Urban Furnishing we take another approach to these items. This approach takes an inspired perspective that sees the value of the raw resources used to construct a product and dreams up new ways to break down and rebuild those resources into a completely new design. \\ ABOUT THE REFRESH PIECES T H E P I E C E S T H AT T Y P I C A L LY C O M E O U T O F T H E R E P U R P O S E P R O C E S S A R E U N I Q U E F R O M A N Y T H I N G Y O U M I G H T S E E I N A T R A D I T I O N A L H O M E F U R N I S H I N G S S T O R E . T H E Y A R E C R E AT E D B Y D E S I G N V I S I O N T H AT T R A N S F O R M S A N O L D C L AW F O O T T U B I N T O A N U R B A N L O V E S E AT, A M A N G L E D G R O C E R Y C A R T I N T O A C O M F Y C H A I R T O R E S T Y O U R R U M P I N . T H E R E P U R P O S E D P I E C E S A R E T H E R E S U LT O F A F E A R L E S S D E S I G N I N I T I AT I V E T O E X P O S E T H E VA L U E O F S O L I D T R A D I T I O N A L D E S I G N S I N B R I L L I A N T N E W WAY S .

R E P U R P O S E P I E C E S A R E AVA I L A B L E V I A B O T H F U R N I T U R E L I B R A R Y A N D T H E N O -T W O - A L I K E A U C T I O N S .

Pa g e 5 8 \\s e c t i o n 3 :

Designing a Solution

section 3:

Designing a Solution

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SOLUTION: REPURPOSE In the US over 40% of used mattresses end up in the landfill Approximately 90% of mattresses can be recycled. Of the 40 million mattresses disposed of per year in the US, 4 million of them are disposed of in California.

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DESIGNING A SOLUTION

\\ CASE STUDY: LIFE AND DEATH OF A MATTRESS

Mattresses are one of the most commonly abandoned home furnishing pieces. Unlike other furnishings, it is illegal to resell the mattresses due to federal regulations. And really, who wants a “used” mattress? The abandoned mattress is a perfect example of a used object that seems to have reached the end of its usefulness and is a good candidate for the landfill. Well the truth of it is mattresses are the most costly items for local governments to dispose of and the polyurethane foam used in them takes over 100 years to decompose.

T H E A LT E R N AT I V E T O D U M P I N G T H E S E I T E M S I N T H E L A N D F I L L I S T O D E C O N S T R U C T T H E M A N D R E C Y C L E T H E I R VA R I O U S PA R T S . I N S O M E C A S E S , T H E S O F T M AT E R I A L C A N B E R E P L A C E D A N D T H E VA L U A B L E S T E E L A N D W O O D C A N B E U S E D F O R N E W M AT T R E S S E S .

In cases where the mattress is broken down completely it yields several valuable recycled products: Polyurethane foam is sold to carpet manufacturers and turned into carpet pad. Cotton batting is sanitized and recycled as moving pads. Wood from frames is turned into wood mulch. steel springs are recycled at a scrap facility for new steel products. Soft material is sanitized and recycled into pet pillows. \\ DIAGRAM T H E O T H E R S I D E O F T H E C O I N O N T H E R E P U R P O S E I T E M S I S A L L A B O U T A LT E R N AT I V E S T O E N D I N G U P IN THE L ANDFILL. WHILE SOME PIECES CAN BE BROKEN DOWN TO THE BASICS AND UPCYCLED INTO F U R N I T U R E , S O M E A R E D E S T I N E D F O R B R E A K I N G D O W N A N D R E C Y C L I N G . W H I L E I T M AY N O T S O U N D A S E X C I T I N G, T H I S PA R T O F U r b a n F u r n i s h i n g I S C R I T I C A L M E E T I N G O U R M I S S I O N O F R E D U C I N G T H E N E E D T O H A R V E S T M O R E O F T H E P L A N E T ’S I N C R E A S I N G LY R A R E R E S O U R C E S .

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“When i got my prize home, I pulled my other office chair, a non swiveling number that the lowliest temp would shun AND KICKED IT TO THE CURBSIDE. WITHIN 10 MINUTES, IT TOO HAD BEEN CL AIMED BY A PASSER-BY, VANISHING INTO THE UNCHARTED BERMUDA TRIANGLE OF USED FURNITURE.”

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04

RAISING AWARENESS

\\Getting the w a meaningful Courageous c

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word out with l message & campaign tactics

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URBAN FURNISHING IS A GOOD ALTERNATIVE Being an active member of the San Francisco Urban Furnishing community is a great alternative to contributing to the cycle of unsustainable consumption. Each product purchased from Urban Furnishing reduces strain on the planets limited raw resources, gives back to the local community and provides the buyer with a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture, a product of human optimism and goodness.

04

RAISING AWARENESS

\\UNSUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION IS BAD

In alignment with the Living Principles Urban Furnishing affects individuals by changing they way they act and think about second-hand furniture. We want to impact communities by changing the way they respond to abandoned furniture.

Our solution will also have a positive impact decision makers at local furniture manufacturers, encouraging them to think more sustainably and willingly take part in programs like Urban Furnishing.

Secondarily, Urban Furnishing has a positive impact on the environment by inventing a new system that can use less and deliver more. It also contributes to the economy by creating value and opportunities for companies and people by keeping furniture in the cycle of use for longer and reducing strain on the planet’s resources.

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Environment

people

economy

culture

A C T ION S A ND IS S UE S

A C T ION S A ND I S S UE S

ACTIONS AND ISSUES

AC T ION S A ND IS S UE S

T H AT A F F EC T N AT UR A L

T H AT A F F EC T A L L

THAT AFFECT HOW PEOPLE

T H AT A F F EC T HO W

SYS T E M S, INC L UDING

A S P EC T S OF S OC IE T Y,

& ORGANIZ ATIONS MEET

C OMMUNI T IE S M A NIF E S T

CL IM AT E C H A NGE ,

INCL UDING P OV E R T Y,

THEIR BASIC NEEDS,

IDE N T I T Y, P RE S E R V E

P RE S E R VAT ION,

V IOL E NC E , IN JU S T IC E ,

EVOLVE AND DEFINE

A ND C ULT I VAT E T R A DI-

C A RBON F OO T P R IN T

E DUC AT ION, HE A LT H

ECONOMIC SUCCESS

T ION S, A ND DE V E L OP

A ND R E S T OR AT ION OF

C A RE , S A F E HOU S ING,

AND GROW TH.

BE L IE F SYS T E M S A ND

N AT UR A L R E S OURC E S.

L A BOR & HUM A N RIGH T S

C OMMONLY AC CE P T E D VA L UE S.

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THE CAMPAIGN: OUTDOOR PROMO EVENTS This campaign tactic showcases the furniture offered by Urban Furnishing in an alternative setting, encouragres community building and engages potential buyers.

A bou t t he p romo t ion:

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RAISING AWARENESS

\\SECTION 1

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temporary “flash livingroom” event outdoor showroom of furniture goal is to change people’s attitudes about used furniture and educate the community on sustainable furnishing options.

Raising Awareness

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Em need to g befor

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mbarassed by your old tattered sofa? get furniture out of your apartment? re you toss it and buy more, check out

furnishing.com

collect | transform | share

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The promos catch you and WHAM!! there’s a block. They disappear the spon

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off guard, you’re walking along livingroom in the middle of the just as quickly, really capturing taneity of “found” street items.

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THE CAMPAIGN: SIDEWALK PSA This campaign tactic creates awareness about Urban Furnishing as an alternative to illegal dumping. The marks are made on the sidewalk, at the site where the dumping happens, to engage illegal dumpers.

A bou t t he p romo t ion:

04

RAISING AWARENESS

\\SECTION 1

eco-friendly, temporary paint stencils used to convey message include HOOK and Urban Furnishing contact goal is to change people’s behavior and have them join the Urban Furnishing community as an alternative to contributing to costly and illegal dumping of used furniture.

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Raising Awareness

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THE CAMPAIGN: DECALS AND SUCH This campaign tactic creates awareness about Urban Furnishing as both a source of local, sustainable furniture and an alternative to illegal dumping, targeting all audiences.

04

RAISING AWARENESS

\\SECTION 1

A bou t t he promo t ion: • E co-friendly stickers and magnets reinforce the Urban Furnishing brand and provide contact info • P lacement ideas in lobby windows of apar tment buildings, on apar tment mailboxes, refrigerator magnets, large magnets on Urban Furnishing vehicles, etc.

The Goal is to change people’s behavior and have them join the Urban Furnishing community as an alternative to contributing to costly and illegal dumping and/or unsustainable consuming.

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On The Move? Need A Replacement Couch For That One You Just Tossed?

urbanfurnishing.com

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05

CONCLUSION

\\recap \\call to actio \\production n

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on notes

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Conclusion

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RECAP PROBLEM AND SOLUTION In a city constantly buzzing with movement, Urban Furnishing provides a community-based solution to keep abandoned furniture off the streets and out of the landfill by refreshing, refurbishing or repurposing it. This way, the materials stay in the cycle of use for longer, providing a sustainable alternative to consuming more of the planet’s increasingly rare raw resources.

05

CONCLUSION

\\SECTION 1

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Conclusion

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Some people say it’s unrealistic happen. But I say the ones who want to continue on the old pat Remember that old way didn’t ju like gravity that we just gotta liv we’re people too. So let’s creat —Annie Leonard, Story of Stuff

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c, idealistic, that it can’t o are unrealistic are those that th. That’s dreaming. ust happen by itself. It’s not ve with. People created it. And te something new.

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Conclusion

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CONCLUSION

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Urban Furnishing was designed by Sa Nguyen, Sarah Seward & Kayla Ferriera in response to GOOD Magazine Challenge.

Printed at Chum’s Design & Print Bound at The Key Printing & Binding.

Developed with the guidance of Tom Sieu at The Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA in the Spring of 2011.

Four copies were produced using TSTAR Pro typefaces.

Conclusion

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