Roaming Park L.A.

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

research

concept development

prototyping

system 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

04 Puzzle Sitting

approachable outdoor play

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#