The parklets, these public micro-spaces of variable expressions, are blooming everywhere in San Francisco. In line with the reputation of the Bay Area being innovative, they were born in 2010 in the city.
The model of the motorized city having lived, the inhabitants, the pedestrians, the tradesmen, the town planners… are interested in the question of the public space. It is scarce and expensive in the peninsula. No matter, they will find it, even if it means taking the space back to the road that has been too generously endowed before. Exit the car parks, the city regains its rights.
Almost 10 years later, they are of all shapes and sizes, poetic, intriguing, useful, relaxing, portable… Their common point, they are public, even if their origin comes from an initiative and private funds (trade, restaurant…)
The City Hall applauds this beautiful gift, which she has no intention of funding!
Here is a list of our favorite parklets:
The most artistic – A gallery parklet. The exhibitions mounted by Luna Rienne are in constant rotation. Children are welcome and discover with their parents, new artists exposed in the open air.
Luna Rienne Gallery – 3318 22st St @ Valencia – San Francisco
The most inflated – A truck broke free of its cargo to accommodate tables, chairs, a little greenery and especially many people, intrigued by so much daring. We come to enjoy a cake before riding a bike for a ride on the Golden Gate Bridge. Hurry, the mayor has promised to dislodge …
Rapha – 2198 Filbert St – San Francisco
The most architectural – Abstract composition of sloping plans by the talented Interstice Architects, children turn it into a playground while their parents sipping a coffee, installed on stands as in the theater.
Interstice Architects – Judah @ 45th Av. – San Francisco
The most poetic – A ship stranded on the pavement offers its protective lower surface to tired walkers. They settle there gracefully for a little nap incognito. It’s the BBA workshop that designed this pretty sinking and the Ritual Coffee Roaster invites you to sit down.
Studio BBA – 1026 Valencia @ 21h st – San Francisco
Merci Isabella Demeulenaere
