To Create an Umbrella with cradle to cradle sensibilities, I started out by re-examining the status quo for umbrellas. I found that just the structural ribs of today's average umbrella has well over 100 parts, and is needlessly complicated. I decided that it was necessary to get away from the structure of the traditional umbrella, because this is where the lion's share of the parts came from. The traditional, circle that is the canopy of most umbrellas was also re-evaluated.

In order to ensure a long life to the product, I also felt that the umbrella should become less cumbersome, more compact, and should cost less in all senses; less manufacturing cost via fewer complications, less transportation cost by utilizing space more economically, and cheaper, more recyclable materials with fewer parts.

From this I decided that the umbrellas should store flat, be of as few parts as possible, and be made of all recycled materials if at all possible. By stepping away from a traditional geometry and thinking of the canopy itself as a structural element I created a compact, flat umbrella, the structure of which is self supporting because of its own geometry.

The final design consists of very few parts. A polypropylene sheet, 34x34, is the main component; this sheet is laser cut and creased in order to fold into the required shape and structure. There is also a shaft piece that would be injection molded polypropylene as well; this is the only mold required for the project. In addition to these main parts, only two steel grommet snaps are required to hold the umbrella open and waterproof. Five parts is a dramatic reduction when compared with the traditional umbrellas over 100.

The product is self contained when folded, and all of the parts, except for the steel snaps, are polypropylene and easily recyclable. The compact design ensures that it is easy to keep on the user at all times, and is less likely to be discarded or lost by everyday use, ensuring its lifecycle is longer, and leaves a smaller ecological foot print when its life is over.

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