Sa™ Compact: The Compact Umbrella Reimagined

While the Sa™ was created as a reimagination of the full size umbrella, the Sa™ Compact was created as a reimagination of the compact umbrella. Both Sa™ umbrellas were formed using the same design principles, language, and aesthetics, and also share the same origami-based architecture, however the Sa™ Compact was created from the ground up to be ideal for compact usage situations. Instead of shrinking or retrofitting the full size Sa™ into a smaller shape, the Sa™ Compact was designed from day one to best suit both compact spaces and scenarios.

The Sa™ project was launched on Kickstarter and successfully reached its funding goal in one week thanks to fantastic feedback and support from project backers and media. The Sa™ Compact was the stretch goal for this project, and since this stretch goal was also surpassed with overwhelming support, it has also been launched into production. Updates about the progress of the Sa™ Compact project can be followed through the Kickstarter Update page. We are pleased to continue to offer the Sa™ Compact in the Parallelogram Store as a backer reward to anyone who would like to join the campaign until the project reaches the final stages of production.

Canopy and Functionality

Like the Sa™, the Sa™ Compact also uses a planar tension architecture to generate its form. Beyond this, it also shares the same strength, materials, environmental consideration, and design principles with the original Sa™. The major difference between the Sa™ and the Sa™ Compact stems from the foldable canopy panel shape. After extensive geometric model testing, Justin was able to create a hexagonal shape composed of smaller triangles, which could then be folded into itself while still allowing for structural support.

The Sa™ Compact’s shape allows each one of the twelve larger triangular panels to be folded into one third of its open size. This is possible because the outermost triangles can be folded and guided over the upper triangles through the unique slider and panel mechanism. Once the panels have been folded on top of themselves, they can then be pulled downwards into the handle where they are flexed around the center pole into a closed position. In this state, the umbrella panels, which have all layered upon one another, have shrunken into the space of one wrapped triangle which represents one thirty-sixth of the full canopy size. Because of this, the Sa™ Compact is able to obtain a very compressed, slender form when closed.

Handle and Aperture

Complimenting the functionality of the Sa™ umbrella, the Sa Compact™ also uses a simple auto-return twist to open, pull to close system. Beyond it's functionality as both a handle and operating system, this same component goes one step further, and also acts as a container for the umbrella when stowed. Once the umbrella canopy has been folded shut, the panels are wrapped and guided in an orderly fashion back into the handle when the lower handle portion is pulled downwards. The completed design should be comparable to the length and thickness of a comfortable running baton.

Beyond this, the Sa Compact™ handle uses an aperture system to form a watertight seal when closed, insuring that the umbrella remains dry and easy to tote around, even directly after usage. By linking the aperture at the top of the handle opening with the twisting and pulling motion of the bottom handle portion, the Sa Compact™ is able to easily insure that the aperture both opens and closes at precisely the right time.

Colors

The Sa™ Compact will be offered in the same great color spectrum as the original Sa™: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Grey, and White. More colors and patterns will be added to the lineup in the future, but in order to keep production costs within range for the first batch of umbrellas offered through the Kickstarter project, the Sa™ Compact shares the same simple, beautiful color palette as the original Sa™.