A public outdoor 'guerilla' space design project, executed to bring comfort and therefore create a more welcoming social atmosphere to a space that currently lacks it. The experiment involved the space set-up, and observing the interaction with it over the space of a day.
Guests engage in scintillating conversation inspired by alteration of public space into living space.
Little person is interested! Future space designer? Baby Geurilla?
After careful consideration we have developed some additional ideas to address the needs and wants of those who use Pigeon Park.
The proposal offered by the city does not offer more seating areas that allow for socialization of groups. The benches that exist currently remain there however creating an engagement between groups where they're able to face each other has much more of a community building affect. Even simple concrete options are available that can easily integrate games such as bakgammon, checkers, etc.
There also does not appear to be a significant change in the amount of green space added to the park in the proposed renovation. There could be an oppertunity to turn the basins of the trees into public gardens, or to create a living wall agaisnt the buildings to dampen the noise of the city. I feel that by making these gardens the responsiblity of the community they may bring the sense of accomplishment and respect for those in difficult times. I also feel that the gardens could be commemorative of the women of the DTES - honoring those who have passed by creating new life.
As suggested by the results of the survey - residents are looking to see more creativity in the park. I propose a Public Art wall. each month the near by houseing facilities and community centres could provide space for local artists to re-paint canvases which would be hung monthly.
After working in collaboration with the community we fed our feedback to the City of Vancouver's Parks and Rec Board for review. The City showed keen interest in our ideas and came back with their own proposal.
While the proposal met several of the utilitarian needs of the community such as drinking fountains and public washroom facilities I still do not feel as though it addresses the cultural, social community needs of the area that will tie the people together.
Stay tuned for more design ideas which we'll be proposing shortly to the City!
I'm constantly looking for ways to bring communities together. Inspring people to work together and share creates a network of support and caring.
In a recent project I found derelict green spaces between the side walk and the road and using only the materials that were already there - created edible gardens. Under the existing vines there was garbage and large cement blocks which I used to create a plant bed.
I have since noticed that those living around this bed have started utilizing the neglected land around them as well and we are all sharing our crops.
Before
After
Sometimes public space design can be so frustrating because of city bylaws and funding. I did this piece to let out some of this frustration. I used leaves and wove them into the fence. Located at Douglas Park where many people like to run around in circles.
Inspired by trying to find more ways that people can connect more directly with the earth (since it's so often absent in inner-city space design), I created this grass-filled chair. Ideally, one can sit down on the (dry) grass seat, and be reminded of how important their connection to the earth is in daily life, and experience it for their time there. Not to mention what a great conversation starter it is, socially:
A minimally used parking lot between two building in down town Nelson B.C. Plan is to convert it into a space that's good for gatherings, events, and everyday lingering for both summer and winter.
Paper model.
Use existing structure to convert into halfpipe for winter events.
