
Design recreational popup spaces in Los Angeles for communities and neighborhoods. Roaming park L.A. is a proposal of a reclaiming-public-space campaign with sets of furniture and a service system. The goal is to generate more opportunities for districts to “be together” and grow stronger under the impact of gentrification.
Project Timeline
May-August 2021
Personal Project at ArtCenter
14 weeks
researchconcept developmentprototypingsystem design
Roaming Park L.A. hosted at Leimert Park
The importance of communal space
“When we refer to the streets and other public spaces of a city, we are actually talking about the city’s own identity. It is in these spaces that human exchange ideas and relationships, the diversity of use and the vocation of each place and the conflicts and contradictions of society are manifested”
Roaming Park L.A. Hosted at Leimert Park Address: 3416 W 43rd St Parking

Transform the under-developed parking space into a temporary community park.

Before the transformation. City hall in Leimert Park is seeking ideas to redevelop two publicly owned parking lots; this gives the opportunity to re-purpose the space for a temporary community space re-purpose.




Early Research Process
Location
The modular piece is designed to fit in street parking/ parking lot for space versatility

side street parking

parking lot
Functionality
How might we design furniture that encourage different ways of encounter?
What is recreation like in a community?
Leisure
When being exposed to the community, communication could be beyond language.
Exchange
Local businesses exist as the foundation of community bonding and local culture.
Express
When souls are connected through the bridge of interaction, the voice is together and stronger.
01 Mini Market

02 Open Activities



03 Open Picnic

easy get out with family

union with friends

escape with privacy

installation





installation

04 Puzzle Sitting

approachable outdoor play

artistic visual configuration

artistic visual configuration

installation




How do we manage to exchange exceeded parking space in L.A. into community-based public space?
How system functions:
Structure Details

The bottom of the grass panel is attached to a layer of stainless steel chain mesh that sustains the strength and, at the same time, fixes all the modules to the ground. The grass panels are attached; when dissembled, they could roll up to save space for storage.
In order to ensure the security of the furniture modules, all the modular parts are assembled with screws that require a special tool to mount and dismantle.
Materials
Selective materials focusing on durability features outdoor

Steel Sheet
Industrial Metal Supply Co.
Steel Sheet
Product model: HRP012410PO
Length & width 120in * 48in
Thickness 12 Ga (0.1094 in)
Specification ASTM-A1011
Weight Ea. 175.00#

Polycarbonate Panels
DANPALON®
FACADE SYSTEMS
Multicell / Honeycombe 8mm
Span between support: up to 1.6m
Impact & Shock Resistance
Ten year warranty
GLAZING MATERIALS & FINISHING

Artificial Grass Panel
Perforated Steel Sheet
Industrial Metal Supply Co.
Product model: PSS1648750
Length & width 120in * 48in
Thickness 16 Ga (0.0625 in)
Hole Pattern 3/4 in round (51% open)
Weight Ea. 50.00#
Expanded Steel Sheet
Industrial Metal Supply Co.
Product model: FXM050134824
Design Size 1/2 in
Width 48in
Style 13# (0.0938 in)
Type Flat Expanded
Weight Ea. 11.20#
Color Choice
Vibrant & vivid
Orthographic Views
check out the full tech pack here
We are aware of the challenge faced when talking about uniting communities in L.A. However, despite all the barriers, this project wished to create ripple effects on generating inter-communal bonds in the neighborhoods of L.A.


Check the design process on miro 🙂
preview below (link embedded on image)