The four downtown Eugene parking spots to be transformed into "parklets" this summer.
AIA-Southwestern
Oregon 2017 president Katie Hall,
AIA and organizing committee chairperson Carolina
Trabuco, Assoc. AIA announced the winners of the inaugural Eugene Parklet
competition at the June AIA-SWO chapter meeting. Though the competition itself
is only the first phase of the Parklet 2017 initiative, it’s clear from its
auspicious results the project will be nothing less than a great success.
As I mentioned previously, the Parklet Competition is a
byproduct of a partnership between the City of Eugene Parking Department
(EPark) and AIA-Southwestern Oregon, with the support of downtown merchants, Toolbox Project, CSI Willamette
Valley Chapter, and ASLA Oregon. The organizers goals for the project include
reimagining the potential of our downtown streets, encouraging non-motorized
transportation, enhancing pedestrian safety and activities, and fostering
community interaction.
The competition is more than just a visioning exercise. The City
of Eugene is providing up to $2,000 to each of the winning designs for
materials and related construction costs to radically transform four downtown parking
spaces. Three of the parking spaces are on Broadway: one each in front of
Townshend’s, Starbucks, and the Bijou theatre; and one parking space on Olive
Street in front of the University of Oregon’s new innovation hub RAIN. Once built, the parklets will remain in place for 1-2
months before disassembly. The current schedule anticipates installation
occurring during the latter half of July, in time for the July 30 Downtown Sunday Streets event. The parklets will additionally be featured destinations for
the August 5 First Friday Art Walk.
The
members of the competition jury were Will
Dowdy (City of Eugene), Jen Bell
(Bell + Funk), David Dougherty
(Dougherty Landscape Architects), Eric
Gunderson, and Brian Cavenaugh
(Architecture Building Culture). The jury evaluated a total of 13 submissions, ultimately
selecting four outstanding schemes:
SIT (im.a.bench)
SIT (im.a.bench)
PIVOT Architecture (Kelley
Howell, Kari Turner, Tom Moss, Clayton Arrowood, Shirin Majlesien, Craig Runyon,
Angela Wilson)
Recommended
site: A
Design Narrative:
Just
like the idea of a parklet occupying a parking spot, the IM.A.BENCH design is
as whimsical as it is simple. Its vibrant colors and playful design will
encourage people to pause for a moment, interact with one another, and enjoy a
different experience downtown. Keeping patrons engaged and active downtown will
enhance the livability and encourage people to visit more regularly. Safety is
a paramount factor in the design and people of all abilities will be able to
use the structure by either using the letters as a seat or pulling up alongside
it. The words “Open to the Public” are displayed across the vertical wall to
boldly invite everyone to utilize the public realm in which the installation
occupies. The form of the structure allows for visitors to spend time enjoying
a beverage from a local business, reading a paper, sharing conversation, or
simply enjoying the opportunity to relax and enjoy downtown Eugene! It is seen
as a natural extension of the public sidewalk and encourages a vibrant node of
activity alongside local businesses.
The
structure will consist of smooth plywood with a colorful veneer coating that encourages
patrons both through its design and message: “Sit.” The vertical letters will
be constructed of pre-painted sheet metal resting on a plywood base that is
flush with the curb and treated with slip-resistant paint. The supporting
understructure would consist of reclaimed wood pallets. The plywood would be
locally sourced with no added formaldehyde. The design is digitally modeled to
optimize the fabrication of the materials and reduce waste. Construction scraps
will be recycled.
During
construction and decommissioning of IM.A.BENCH, the surrounding areas will feel very little
impact. The project will be constructed in modules off site and reassembled
during off-peak times to minimize disruption to the important thoroughfare.
Once the parklet is slated to be removed, it will be very quickly
deconstructed. The project can be transported and reinstalled virtually
anywhere. The construction is easy to assemble with minimal tools and utilizes
straightforward details.
With
slip-resistant lettering that continues onto the sidewalk as an option, the
parklet will be attention grabbing and engaging. Outdoor seating for the
businesses that occupy the adjacent areas will reap the most reward by having
access to valuable outdoor space during the summer months. The parklet can also
serve as a showcase during Downtown Eugene events such as First Friday or EUGfun!
Jury Comments:
It’s rare to see bold graphics in
Eugene. We tend to be more about earthy colors and organic textures. It was
nice to see something bold and colorful that will really stand out on the
street.
A bold and singular place that
will surprise and enliven downtown.
Simple and bold. Eye catching and whimsical.
Simple and vibrant with bold
imagery. This parklet is sure to draw a
crowd of sitters.
Vivid Summer
Vivid Summer
Lindsey Deaton and Christopher
Becker
Recommended
site: B
Design Narrative:
Eugene’s
vibrant summer spaces support spontaneous sidewalk chats, people watching, and
sunbathing. The VIVID SUMMER parklet is a
community node day and night. Artistically, the parklet is a motif for the power
generated when unique individuals form community, as distinct wood panels
construct strong geometric shapes.
Bright
canvas shading devices announce the presence of a new street feature and draw
pedestrians to neighboring pop-up retail pods. The built-in seating supports a
variety of activities as well as spaces for individuals, couples, and small
groups. Wide ledges accommodate drinks and computers. A standing-height counter
transitions pedestrians into the parklet.
As
the sun sets, the VIVID SUMMER parklet begins to glow; daylight sensors trigger
an internal network of embedded LEDs to bath the benches in soft tones. These
lights cast a beautiful array of summer colors on the benches and increase the
safety of the space by illuminating a potentially dark corner of the street.
The lights are powered by a small, secure PV panel that can be attached
directly to the parklet or a neighboring roof.
Jury Comments:
This was the only entry that gave much consideration to
night time. The people downtown during the day and the ones here at night are
generally not the same people. So it allows the people here for the nightlife
to enjoy the parklets.
Vibrant and lively, The lighting will be a great place
for evening selfies.
The sharp geometry and soft lighting crates an urban
ensemble that will complement the existing Broadway streetscape.
pinYOUgene
Cameron McCarthy (Larry
Gilbert, Justin Lanphear, Zach Rix, Nick Mercado, Vivian Schoung, Ali McQueen)
Recommended
site: C
Design Narrative:
The great irony of public spaces is that they serve
as locations to gather, experience urban environments, and deepen our
understanding of place. Yet, often we lose this notion of experience and use
public space as a means of getting from one point to another. We miss the
opportunity to fully understand our urban environments.
The goal of pinYOUgene is to create a parklet that
strengthens the social fabric of downtown by providing the opportunity to
creatively engage with our community, sit and relax, bolster safe and
interactive street-level activity, explore downtown, and share our stories.
This parklet is designed for one of the three
Broadway locations. Sidewalk users are drawn into the parklet by an interactive
downtown map identifying local examples of history, art, and landscapes that
visitors are encouraged to explore; built-in seating surrounded by
semi-transparent slat screens, both built from locally salvaged trees;
vegetated planters; and a 3-D optical manipulation on the street side.
The floor of the parklet is painted with lines and
words that lead to the metal chalkboard-coated map of downtown Eugene at the
center of the space. This map depicts Google Map-inspired magnetic pins that
correspond to examples of local history, art, and meaningful landscapes within
downtown. The map also invites visitors to plot their own course using the
magnetic pins to mark pivotal or meaningful locations in their lives. In
addition, the interior walls of the parklet are coated with chalkboard paint
(chalk will continue to be provided throughout the display of the parklet), and
visitors can write or draw their experiences discovering Eugene.
Jury Comments:
- This one tells a bigger story about downtown and
encourages people to check out downtown landmarks.
- Participatory and thoughtful. Invites us to think about downtown places.
- Will bring an interactive experience to downtown that will
provide entertainment for all ages, especially the all-to-frequently overlooked
children.
- The diverse yet unified materials are used in a
compelling way to create space while interpreting the urban context.
Framing Parklet
Framing Parklet
Propel Studio (Sam Sudy and Lucas Gray)
Recommended site: D
Design Narrative:
Nestled
in front of Townshends: Eugene’s Teahouse, this parklet would serve as an
extension of the sidewalk, for passerby and tea drinkers to linger and
converse. The concept for this parklet arose from the idea of frames: framing
the city, framing nature, framing the pedestrian. Stacked together in a row,
frames provide a series of filters, creating visual appeal as one looks down the
row. Looking perpendicularly to the frames, small pockets of semi-private
spaces become apparent, sandwiched between each frame. Made of everyday
materials—rebar and wood—this parklet will be easy to construct. The four
frames and the three platforms sandwiched between are independent units,
allowing the entire parklet to be broken down and transported with ease.
From
their base, the frames offer rigidity and a solid foundation of 2x2 purple-stained
wood, both to provide seating and to enclose planter boxes. Plants such as
lavender were selected, not only because they coordinate with the colors of the
frames, but because of their durability within the local climate of Eugene,
minimizing ongoing care and watering requirements.
Above
the base, spray-painted rebar reveals a more delicate structure of plantings
above, allowing for a visual connection between the sidewalk and the street while
still providing a buffer for safety and ambience. At night, the glow in the dark
spray paint highlights the grid of the rebar and continues its visual appeal
through dusk and into the night.
Jury Comments:
- This one is uniquely shaped, and the frames allow for
visual connection between the sidewalk and the street. It also allows space for
someone to sit alone (not on a shared bench), which for people who work
downtown and might be on a break alone is appealing.
- A spatial experience that allow claiming your own place
in the city.
- The blend of wood metal and plant fits into the urban
garden of Broadway.
- A pleasing composition of strength and elegance
* *
* * *
*
Kudos
to each of the winning teams. I’m looking forward to seeing your designs become
reality! Congratulations
too to Carolina Trabuco and the members of her Parklet Competition committee. You
quickly organized and implemented the competition in impressive fashion.
During their brief appearance this summer, I predict the
parklets will prove wildly popular, attracting enthusiastic use and the
attention of local media. The project may prove to be among the most effective
ever undertaken by AIA-SWO in its efforts to raise the profile of our design
community and showcasing the value of skilled problem-solving applied in creative and
imaginative ways.
