Under a Shared Sky
An umbrella becomes a shared garden canopy, colouring the light beneath its ribs and gathering people within an everyday image of shelter.
The Brief
The umbrella is familiar because its shelter is immediate. The brief extends that promise to a public gathering, giving the canopy sufficient visual presence while keeping the occupied space beneath it welcoming.
People move beneath the canopy, sit around its edges or pause beside planting.
The Inspiration
An umbrella creates a small temporary world beneath its ribs. The concept draws on that simple experience of comfort and companionship, using the relationship between canopy, shadow and filtered light as its central source of meaning.
An open canopy and curved handle establish the umbrella silhouette.
The Concept
An open canopy and curved handle establish the umbrella silhouette. Translucent surfaces reveal its ribs and colour the light beneath it, while lower edges and planted pockets form a sheltered landscape for gathering and rest.
An elevated view reveals the complete arrangement of the landmark, its seating and the routes around it.
The Experience
People move beneath the canopy, sit around its edges or pause beside planting. An interaction near the ground brings attention to light and shadow, while the larger structure allows informal occupation without a prescribed route.
Small reflective elements are set along the umbrella pavilion’s seating edge, where visitors can explore them beneath the translucent canopy.
The Outcome
An everyday shelter becomes a shared public room. The canopy brings light, planting and places to rest beneath one familiar outline, giving a gathering the warmth and intimacy of standing together under an umbrella.
The reverse view reveals the same structure’s layered edges, material surfaces and relationship to its setting.