Design Option 1: ‘Double Wedge’

path from 65th entrance

Both the options deal with different parkscapes under a similar canopy. The first variation we’ve nicknamed ‘double wedge’, sculpts the land to make a valley through which the path from 65th to the alley runs.  Each wedge slopes up from the path: on the north side it raises up to about 6 ft (above the old substation’s slab), on the south it slopes more steeply to create a space underneath where we’d house the equipment/emergency center.

view under canopy

The goal is to make the space under the roof a playful landscape where kids can run up and down, and there are places to hang out.  In this scheme we’re showing the surface as a distinctive orange, with the idea that we would like to have a surface would be soft and inviting to sit on–rubberized playground material, resilient surface, or artificial turf colored so that the artificiality is highlighted.

With regards to the artificial turf, it may seem counterintuitive, but we were concerned with the viability of real grass, both in terms of maintenance, and how well it would thrive, being shaded by the canopy.  We are trying to make as ‘green’ a park as possible, and hence the big question: Is it more sustainable to have a surface that requires little maintenance, no watering, mowing, fertilizer but is both synthetic and manufactured far away resulting in a lot of carbon used in transport to the site, or a natural planting, such as moss and ferns that would thrive in shade but wouldn’t stand walking or playing on them, and require watering and more significant maintenance?  We’re open to your thoughts, and certainty it was a big topic of conversation at the Workshop.

Along the alley, we’ve tucked the equipment/emergency center into the hillside, but then cut stairs down, creating a little gathering place where the door can be opened to reveal the guts of the solar power equipment, and teach about the technology.

view from alley

The alley side is very open, limiting blind spots, and gives you a good feel for the entire pocket park.

Feel free to post your comments below:

Along either side of the canopy we would have landscaping, and use vegetation to screen out the back side of the restaurant.