Designer Transformed Salvaged Building Materials Into Tables
A new gallery exhibit in New York City features furniture crafted from salvaged construction materials.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Interior Decorating
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Designer Rafael Prieto has debuted a new furniture collection featuring four tables created from 16 salvaged pieces of stone and wood. The collection is currently on display as part of an exhibition at the Emma Scully Gallery.
Why it matters
The collection demonstrates how architectural fragments from local building renovations can be repurposed into functional contemporary design. It highlights a shift toward incorporating salvaged materials like birch and stone into residential furniture pieces.
The collection utilizes 16 salvaged items, including architectural stone and birch veneer, to form four distinct tables. These pieces were sourced from a single building renovation project located across from the designer's studio.
The players
Rafael Prieto
The designer who created this furniture collection by salvaging architectural fragments from a construction site.
Emma Scully Gallery
A design gallery in New York City that hosts exhibitions focusing on contemporary furniture and unique object collections.
Clement Pascal
A photographer whose work is featured in the exhibition to provide visual context for the materials.
The details
Prieto incorporated architectural fragments into his designs by building structural frames around salvaged stone. He combined these elements with lacquered birch wood and veneer to create contemporary furniture pieces. The collection is presented alongside photography by Clement Pascal to highlight the origin of the materials.
Timeline
September 30, 2026: The Future of the Past exhibition opened to the public.
December 12, 2026: The exhibition at Emma Scully Gallery is scheduled to close.
The Home Front
This project follows the pattern of the Adaptive Reuse movement by extending the lifecycle of construction materials from building sites into the home interior. It marks a broader interest in circular design practices within high-end furniture and residential decor.
Consider visiting the exhibition to see how industrial fragments can be integrated into residential furniture designs. You might also look for local building renovation sites in your neighborhood as potential sources for unique materials for your own DIY or custom projects.
The takeaway
Repurposing materials from local construction sites offers a unique way to add history and sustainable textures to your living space. Consider checking local salvage yards or architectural restoration shops to find similar stone or wood remnants for your next design project.
Further reading
Discover more ways to incorporate unique textures into your home in our Interior Decorating section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dezeen.
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