This project was the most heart-centered design I’ve done. Knowing Eli and his family for many years, the concept came easily. The curve of the seat boards represents a photograph of a rainbow over a soccer field his mother took the day after Eli left our world. The waves on the back boards mimic sound waves. Eli had many talents and passions; soccer, skiing and music were just a few. Those who knew him, know he was one of the most kind and loving humans.
Alex McKenzie of Cypress Woodworks brought this concept to life: resourcing the reclaimed beams of heart pine to withstand the outdoor elements, selecting a fabricator to create the steel framework for support, knowing the perfect artists to laser etch the typography of Eli’s poem and signature into the seat back. The creative community came together to create a warm, comfortable place to sit and overlook mountain views and playing fields while remembering Eli.
