Cornel’s World Installs 7 Living Vivariums in Downtown San Francisco for Shiekh Shoes “Move to Zero”

The brief

In February 2023, we got one of those calls that makes you stop and go, "How did they even find us?" Shiekh Shoes wanted a living, plant-only ecosystem display at the entrance of their downtown San Francisco store: "Bring more nature into the store."

The idea was tied to Nike's Move to Zero, Nike's journey toward zero carbon and zero waste to help protect the future of sport. The terrariums weren't just décor. They were a living statement about sustainability, placed front and centre.

Because the display was going right at the entry, it had to look sharp from every angle, handle real foot traffic, and stay visually alive without becoming a daily maintenance project. Seven cubes, plant-only, a retail-ready finish, and a clean, low-maintenance design that stays stable over time.

Downtown San Francisco, right out front

The display was designed to live at the front of the store, visible from the sidewalk and as soon as customers walked in. It needed presence, but still had to feel clean and intentional in a modern retail space.

Installing in central San Francisco was an experience. The soundtrack outside was unpredictable, the street traffic nonstop, and the energy of the neighbourhood never really slowed down. It made the quiet, living ecosystems inside those glass cubes feel even more intentional, a little pocket of calm right at the entrance.

The designer's vision

The Shiekh design team provided concept sketches outlining the intent: stacked glass cubes, living plant ecosystems, and a clean architectural presentation at the store entry. From there, we engineered the plan into something structurally sound, retail-ready, and buildable, without losing the slice-of-nature feel.

From sketch to 3D rendering

For a custom project like this, especially with a big deposit, renderings matter. A 3D model removes the guesswork and gives the client a clear, accurate preview of what's being proposed.

This was a few years ago, when we were just starting with SketchUp, but it was still a major step up from "trust us, it'll look great."

Our plant partner in San Francisco

Because we're based in Canada, we couldn't ship live plants, soil, or moss across the border. So we partnered with Rhizome Urban Gardens in San Francisco to bring the ecosystems to life locally.

Their team handled plant selection, soil systems, and long-term maintenance, making sure each cube could thrive while staying stable and low-maintenance in a retail setting. Find them at rhizomeurbangardens.com and on Instagram.

Building seven retail-ready ecosystems

Each terrarium was a 2' x 2' x 2' glass cube designed for drainage layers, proper substrate depth, and long-term plant health. And because the display is seen from every angle, the hardscape had to be fully 360°, not just a background wall.

We also explored base materials that fit the sustainability theme, including an option that was formaldehyde-free (CARB Phase 2 compliant) and made from 100% post-recycled content.

Install week, July 7 to 10

The plan was simple: fly out July 7, install, and be home by the 10th. It was a crazy summer, with a busy shop, kids' sports, and me getting married at the end of the month, but we made it happen.

The coolest part was bringing Emma with me as my helper. We worked hard, moved fast, and by the last night we were exhausted, but the build looked amazing.

Work trip, but we made memories

We packed in as much as we could while we were there: the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, trolley cars, and an "epic adventure" ferry run to Sausalito that turned into a true Greg moment when my phone died at exactly the worst time.

Seven living ecosystems

We finished our part of the install on site, and the plants went in about a month later. Once everything was planted, the whole display came alive: seven different little worlds that still read as one feature at the entrance.

Client reaction

The Shiekh team loved the final result. It matched their designer's vision from concept through completion, and the finished display immediately became a focal point at the store entry: clean, modern, and alive.

Walkthrough video

We filmed a walkthrough right after we finished our part of the install, about a month before the plants went in. Watch it on Instagram.