FALLEN_TO_FUNCTIONAL.TGIF
tgif grant project / uc berkeley

Fallen to Functional

Community Spaces from Campus Wood Waste.

Overview

Fallen to Functional: Community Spaces from Campus Wood Waste is a design-build project at UC Berkeley. The project reclaims wood from campus tree removals and converts it into four outdoor furniture installations in underused spaces.

Each installation includes a plaque and QR code documenting species, age, origin, reason for removal, and fabrication information.

View TGIF Grant Proposal

Goals

Fallen to Functional: Community Spaces from Campus Wood Waste is a design-build project that turns fallen campus trees into outdoor furniture for student gathering spaces. The project offers a more sustainable and locally sourced alternative to the plastic and metal benches typically purchased from third-party suppliers. By reusing wood that would otherwise be discarded, the project reduces waste, lowers environmental impact, and highlights UC Berkeley’s natural landscape. Each piece will include a small plaque describing where the tree came from and its story, helping connect students to the land and the people who care for it. This project aims to create spaces that bring the community together while showing how thoughtful, local design can strengthen both environmental and social connections on campus.

Timeline (Dec 2025 – May 2026)

Dec – Jan

Identify removed trees, select usable logs, and mill material for all four pieces.

Feb – Mar

Finalize designs and fabricate all furniture pieces at the Wood Lab.

Apr

Install furniture in approved locations with durable signage and QR codes.

May

Complete photography, documentation, and reporting.

Projects

The map below indicates approximate locations of the four installations.

Site map of four project locations
1. Memorial Glade Bench Cluster
Memorial Glade · Central lawn seating
2. Eucalyptus Grove Table
Strawberry Creek · Shared work surface
3. North Gate Entry Seating
North Gate / CED · Threshold seating
4. Dwinelle Plaza Study Table
Dwinelle Plaza · Informal study table

Team

Project Lead

Jack Van Thyne — Landscape Architecture, UC Berkeley.

Headshot

Collaborators

Funding

The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF)

Fabrication

Richmond Field Station Wood Lab

Campus Partners

UC Berkeley Facilities & Grounds · Campus Architect

Concept rendering of Fallen to Functional furniture
1. Memorial Glade Bench Cluster

The Memorial Glade Bench Cluster is planned as a set of low benches fabricated from a reclaimed campus tree. The benches align with views across the main lawn and provide informal seating for study, events, and everyday use.

The design keeps the tree’s material story visible through exposed grain and clear joinery while meeting accessibility, safety, and durability requirements.

Memorial Glade bench – view 1 (placeholder) Memorial Glade bench – view 2 (placeholder) Memorial Glade bench – detail (placeholder)
2. Eucalyptus Grove Table

The Eucalyptus Grove Table is proposed as a continuous shared work surface along the edge of Strawberry Creek. The table uses salvaged eucalyptus and simple hardware to create a repairable structure.

The installation supports group work, teaching, and informal gatherings while referencing the surrounding grove and its management history.

Eucalyptus Grove table – view 1 (placeholder) Eucalyptus Grove table – view 2 (placeholder) Eucalyptus Grove table – detail (placeholder)
3. North Gate Entry Seating

North Gate Entry Seating is conceived as a set of compact blocks and ledges framing the approach to the College of Environmental Design. Reclaimed wood from a removed campus tree will be used to create durable seating at a high-traffic threshold.

The goal is to provide a defined waiting and meeting area where students transition between city and campus.

North Gate seating – view 1 (placeholder) North Gate seating – view 2 (placeholder) North Gate seating – detail (placeholder)
4. Dwinelle Plaza Study Table

The Dwinelle Plaza Study Table is planned as an informal study and meeting table located in a heavily used plaza. Reclaimed campus wood will be configured as a long shared surface with simple, maintainable connections.

The piece will serve as a test of how reclaimed wood performs in a high-use setting.

Dwinelle Plaza table – view 1 (placeholder) Dwinelle Plaza table – view 2 (placeholder) Dwinelle Plaza table – detail (placeholder)