Rafael Prieto Crafted Furniture From Salvaged Materials
Designer Rafael Prieto repurposed architectural remnants into a new furniture collection at a Tribeca-based gallery.
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 sixteen salvaged building pieces. The collection is currently on display at the Emma Scully Gallery in New York City.
Why it matters
The project demonstrates a creative approach to upcycling by integrating architectural fragments from a local renovation into contemporary functional design. This work highlights how discarded construction waste can be reimagined for interior spaces.
The collection features 16 salvaged building pieces used to construct 4 tables. The furniture incorporates materials including architectural stone, birch wood, and veneer.
The players
Rafael Prieto
Rafael Prieto is a designer known for incorporating architectural and industrial elements into contemporary furniture and art installations.
Emma Scully Gallery
Emma Scully Gallery is an art and design space located in New York City that hosts exhibitions focusing on contemporary craft and furniture.
Clement Pascal
Clement Pascal is a photographer whose work is featured as part of the exhibition at the gallery.
The details
Rafael Prieto incorporated architectural fragments from a building renovation situated across from his studio into his designs. The furniture features structures built around salvaged stone, finished with lacquered birch wood and veneer, and is accompanied by photography from Clement Pascal.
Timeline
September 30, 2026: The Future of the Past exhibition opened to the public.
December 12, 2026: The exhibition at the Emma Scully Gallery is scheduled to close.
Culture Shift
This project mirrors the broader architectural salvage and adaptive reuse movement by repurposing demolition waste into high-end interior decor. It marks a transition toward viewing building waste as a viable raw material for contemporary design objects.
New York City residents interested in sustainable design can view the collection firsthand at the gallery through mid-December. The exhibition offers visitors a look at how local building renovations can directly inform personal home decor choices.
The takeaway
The collection shows that ordinary renovation waste can be transformed into high-concept furniture through careful craftsmanship. Consider how discarded materials from your own home projects might be repurposed instead of discarded.
Further reading
Explore more trends in Interior Decorating for unique design approaches.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dezeen.
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