blooming city by Yu, Chin-Hsuan from taiwan
designer's own words:
Blooming City is an urban umbrella rental system that is found at main public spaces. The widespread service contributes to the convenience of the city and dots the motion of the citizens’ rapid pace. The system can bring much convenience for rainy cities such as London and Amsterdam. In Asia, where ladies love to use umbrella for blocking the sun, Blooming City Service serves the public not only during rainy days but also during sunny days. The wide variety of umbrella patterns and the freedom to change the umbrella phase also results in an added value of “ Not just function, but also fashion” vision for the users. As a result, umbrellas become a fashionable accessory that needs variation from time to time, and Blooming City enhances this trend.
The service system of Blooming City integrates automatic vending machines, modular units, personal mobile device and phone APPs to create easy accessibility. In addition, the various ways for quick and easy payment target anyone who is caught off guard by the rain. This convenience is attributed to technologies such as NFC for connecting to users’ personal mobile, RFID for pre-charged MRT travel cards, and Card Reader device for those who simply uses bankcards. The reminder service of expiry dates also benefits contemporary people living a rapid lifestyle.
Detached handle and umbrella phase is the biggest feature of the urban umbrella itself. The always-open structure of the umbrella phase avoids the current problem of breaking umbrella ribs easily. This also benefits the drying process for wet umbrellas, as users just have to place the open umbrellas back to the Display Unit after use. The portable size handle can then be put away in purses or handbags, with an added value as a night torch. Umbrella blossoms sprout here and there as the rain washes over the city. Every urban umbrella takes part in the blooming of the urban garden both in rain and shine.
Blooming City is an Urban Umbrella Rental System that provides convenience for citizens and encourages shared use. Widespread service points at major public spaces create a complete network that covers the whole city. Advertisements and features of each city can be implemented into the design of the umbrella phases as a media for city branding. 
Two units can be combined freely to form the automatic rental service points. The basic module composes of a Vending Unit and several Display Units. The Vending Unit with the touch screen is the main interface. Users select and confirm as well as pay their orders here. They also receive the umbrella handle from this unit. Beside the vending unit, Display Units are placed. With a wide variety of umbrella phases presented here, users have the right to choose upon their preference. [jwplayer config=”mplayer” width=”818px” height=”600px” file=”https://static.designboom.com/wp-content/compsub/368455/2012-12-31/video_1_1356997797_69d84a77d322783a86ee805d4e0d0370.mp4″] video
Rental periods are based on a weekly plan. Users choose for how many weeks they’d like to rent the umbrella. The business strategy of 1 USD-per-week rental fee encourages them to just rent an umbrella instead of buying one. Intended for use at public transportation stations with users at a rapid pace, the vending machine provides quick and easy payment methods either with phone APP or bank cards. An umbrella handle serves as the token. Users keep the handle with them during the rental period. 
With an activated handle, users can choose an umbrella phase to go with the handle at anytime, this also allows them to match the umbrella appearance with their dress code. The cap of the handle can be opened to easily assemble the umbrella phase. After use, the umbrella phase is returned to the Display Unit with easy accessibility throughout the city. Reminders are made through the phone APP and the handle itself. If they wish, users can also extend the rental period at any Vending Units. 
Umbrella blossoms not only dot the city during daytime, but at night or on rainy gloomy days, the handle can be switched on to become safety torches. This provides the users with additional lighting and a sense of secure as well as decreases the risk of accidents due to bad sight. The handle can also be used alone as flashlights when detached with the umbrella phase. Blooming City takes care of citizens’ convenience, fashion and safety. 
Service points are located at major public spaces, such as airports, Central Station, metro and bus stops, and shopping malls. The initial displays of umbrella design for every service point also shows the surrounding feature. As time pass by, through rent and return, the umbrellas flow through the city and create a motion that represents the trace of people using it. As a result, dynamic and mixed displays of umbrella motions are presented to the public as an evidence of the city flow.