Deconstruct / Reconstruct Tote Selected for Tulane Design Showcase

Project Overview

My Deconstruct / Reconstruct Tote project has also been selected for the Tulane Design Showcase, an annual exhibition highlighting top work from across the design program. Developed in my Foundation of Textile Construction course, this project focused on rethinking an existing object through material exploration and construction.

We were given a standard Tulane School of Architecture tote bag and tasked with transforming it into a new functional design. My approach reimagined the tote as a weekender duffle, expanding its capacity and usability while preserving elements of the original material and structure.

The process involved deconstructing the tote into its base components and reconstructing it into a new form through pattern-making, sewing, and assembly. The final design balances durability and flexibility, creating a more versatile object while maintaining a connection to its original identity.

Being selected for the showcase highlights the project’s focus on transformation, craft, and material-driven design, as well as the iterative process behind developing a functional and refined final piece.