DISCONNECTED
This project transformed actual phone booths into more useful adaptations as they were being removed from NYC streets. I took on two concepts that transformed the booth into a statement about reuse. The first concept I focused on was a classic American style diner that you could grab a coffee and charge your phone. The second design focused on more of an Asian market that served up fish and duck. Both of these concepts were created within the span of three weeks simultaneously. They went on for a brief exhibition tour in New York at Chelsea galleries as well as broadcast on CBS.
The diner booth was fully disassembled and rebuilt with a custom tiled platform for the stools. I wrapped the booth in a mix of quilted and plain 24-gauge stainless steel, then designed and fabricated the signage header and vinyl branding for both the stools and sign. Interior details were curated to complete the scene — from the clock and shelving to the cups and snack elements. The final touch was the custom “Donnie’s” neon, tying the entire installation together into a cohesive Americana moment.
Interior details were curated to complete the scene — from the clock and shelving to the cups and snack elements. The final touch was the custom “Donnie’s” neon, tying the entire installation together into a cohesive Americana moment.
The Chinatown booth was disassembled and reimagined as an iconic Chinatown streetscape, referencing fish markets and shop windows lined with hanging ducks and chickens. A pitched PVC roof structure was built, while a traditional Chinese screen was cut apart and repurposed to introduce color, texture, and symbolism. Details like vinyl were added to the booth and the roofline, as well as a custom three-color phoenix neon was designed as the focal element.
