Steelcase held the Wreath & Menorah Design Competition and charity event at its Merchandise Mart showroom on December 6. The fund-raiser for the Children's Place Association showcased wreaths from local design and architecture firms, who used extension cords, Jolly Ranchers, and more in their creations. Here's a look at 15 abstract takes on the traditional holiday decoration.
Marquardt+ created the "S. Fernando" wreath from discarded 3form material samples in green, white, clear, and silver. The frame was made from a scrap of walnut.
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D&K's "Color Wheel" was made of plastic color chips and lights arranged on a custom frame.
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"Records of Christmas Past" from Fitzgerald Earles Architects & Associates was inspired by crystal formations inside of geodes.
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A close-up shows the "crystal formations" held classic holiday trinkets—including miniature elves—meant to represent Christmases past.
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OEC Business Interiors used sheet music, handmade roses, and bright red berries in "Winter Melodies."
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DMAC Architecture used 4,000 straws to construct "StrawLaLaLaLa."
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Gettys Group's "Snowflake" had individual paper snowflakes strung on their sides to create a geometric, abstract pattern.
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The paper snowflakes from Gettys Group were dusted with green and red glitter.
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Myefski Architects' wreath, called "12 Trees of Tech-Mas," contained miniature trees made of digital chips. A custom acrylic frame held all of the trees, and a mini speaker played holiday tunes.
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Jensen & Halstead's wreath was dubbed "A Hipster Holiday."
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The hanging terrariums in "Hipster Holiday" had quirky miniature landscapes, including one with a hippopotamus wearing a Santa hat.
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Harrington College of Design alumni used wagon wheels and vintage-style stockings in "Happy Holidays With Radio Flyer."
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Dobbins Group's "Glowing Wreath" had small branches and a self-illuminating glow created by 55 LED lights.
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Cordogan Clark & Associates used rigid foam insulation to mimic the shape of ice crystals in the "Ice Wreath."
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210 individually placed candy pieces, placed against a back-lit LED frame, went into the construction of "Holly, Jolly (Rancher) Christmas."
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Booth Hansen, SVI Themed Construction, and Tip Top Builders' design was inspired by the Ferris wheel at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893.
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"A Spoonful," by Gensler, was made of plastic spoons and Christmas lights.
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Latent Design's "Extension" wreath was made from a laser-cut acrylic sheet, an orange extension cord, and a light.
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