image via Valentinian

After recently helping someone clear out the office of a business that went under, I noticed so many pieces of used office equipment that were no longer in their original, pristine condition and wondered what might become of these items. I had this idea of some sort of installation called “The Forgotten Office” which would turn things like trash cans and filing cabinets into planters and allow the plants to grow all over chairs and desks.

When I came across the repurposed filing cabinets from Minimis called Arkivos, I realized that someone else obviously had the same thinking. They’ve taken old salvaged metal filing cabinets and turned them into sidewalk planters and herb gardens available in all sorts of colors and finishes, including custom finishes from artists. I like the industrial, solid feel these have in using the old hefty metal filing cabinets.

According Minimis, Arkivos are “aesthetically repurposed archives, as sidewalk planters and herb gardens for your terrace, sidewalk cafe, or back yard. In the spirit of the modern Bauhaus movement, the monolithic planters boast clean, straight lines, very solid construction, and an industrial appearance.”

image via minimis