Parklets, San Francisco

Even in a city that practically invented eco-consciousness, Andres Power is one urban planner with some serious chutzpah. The 30-year-old San Francisco native heads up the city’s Pavement to Parks initiative, which not only develops green spaces in the city centre, but also creates them from perhaps the most coveted real estate possible: parking spaces. Called parklets, these public spots are lined with greenery and welcome cyclists and pedestrians alike.
The parklets are spare in form, simple in function, yet brazen in execution in such a car-centric city. The first two arrived last spring, taking over two or three former parking spots fronting accommodating businesses such as cafés or bicycle shops. Four more parklets are planned for 2010, while a giant version taking 30 spaces along two blocks is planned for early next year.
‘With this project on the ground,’ Power enthuses, ‘we’ll finally be able to say that we’ve truly reclaimed the street for people.’
Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co
Peeling aside the protective layers covering the timber strips
Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co
The timber strips revealed
Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co
McMakin prefers to work with timber that’s cut into pieces with different widths
Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
The crates of timber for the flooring arriving at Big Leaf Manufacturing’s workshop where the timber is processed
Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
A quiet moment before work begins on the timber strips
Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
A consignment of timber strips waits to be transformed into flooring
Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
The crates of timber in the warehouse at Big Leaf Manufacturing
Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co
Prepping the timber for cutting
Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
At Big Leaf Manufacturing
Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
A worker at Big Leaf Manufacturing
Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
A worker at Big Leaf Manufacturing where most of Roy McMakin’s projects are prepped
Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
One of the machines used to work on the floor boards
Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
Detail shot of the finished floor showing the irregular joins as designed by McMakin
Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
McMakin and his new floor for Ebony and Co (the collaboration was brought about by Wallpaper's Handmade issue, W*137)
Parklets, San Francisco
One of Andres Power's parklets (a former parking spot now reclaimed and turned into a green recreational space) on San Fran's Divisadero Street
Parklets, San Francisco
Andres Power, in front of one his reclaimed parking places
Parklets, San Francisco
Taking over two or three former parking spots, the Parklets accommodate businesses such as cafés or bicycle shops
Parklets, San Francisco
Four more parklets are planned for 2010, while a giant version taking 30 spaces along two blocks is planned for early next year.
Parklets, San Francisco
One of Power's blueprints for his venture
Parklets, San Francisco
These public spots are lined with greenery and welcome cyclists and pedestrians alike to take some time out
The Resnick Pavilion at LACMA
Inside the Resnick Exhibition Pavilion. 'The 2000 Sculpture', 1992, by Walter De Maria
The Resnick Pavilion at LACMA
'The largest purpose-built open-plan museum in the world,' according to The Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Resnick Pavilion at LACMA
The all-glass entrance
The Resnick Pavilion at LACMA
The 180ft by 200ft structure is topped by a striking 21-bay sawtooth-skylight roof
The Resnick Pavilion at LACMA
Inside Renzo Piano's vast structure. 'The 2000 Sculpture', 1992, by Walter De Maria
The Resnick Pavilion at LACMA
Inside the pavilion
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
Step inside this Upper East Side jewel box apartment
This radiant Lexington Avenue home is a harbinger of good things for the Upper East Side, and the latest focus of The Inside Story, our series spotlighting intriguing and innovative interior design
By Anna Solomon Published
-
A new hilltop California home is rooted in the landscape and celebrates views of nature
WOJR's California home House of Horns is a meticulously planned modern villa that seeps into its surrounding landscape through a series of sculptural courtyards
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Is a tiny tattoo the best holiday souvenir? Kimpton Hotels think so
In partnership with Tiny Zaps, Kimpton Hotels is bringing city-inspired tattoo pop-ups to five U.S. locations
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
A new hilltop California home is rooted in the landscape and celebrates views of nature
WOJR's California home House of Horns is a meticulously planned modern villa that seeps into its surrounding landscape through a series of sculptural courtyards
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
This narrow home in San Francisco is a modern take on treehouse living
In San Francisco, a narrow home by Dumican Mosey Architects, Dolores Heights House, is a demonstration of how to make the most of an awkward plot, creating an expansive home overlooking the trees
By Tianna Williams Published
-
A vibrant new waterfront park opens in San Francisco
A waterfront park by leading studio Scape at China Basin provides dynamic public spaces and coastal resilience for San Francisco's new district of Mission Rock
By Léa Teuscher Published
-
A look inside the home of George Homsey, one of the fathers of pioneering California modernist community Sea Ranch
George Homsey's home opens for the first time since his death, in 2019; see where the architect behind some of the designs for Sea Ranch, the pioneering California modernist community, lived
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Transamerica Pyramid: a San Francisco icon, remastered
The Transamerica Pyramid, a landmark in the San Francisco cityscape, has been redesigned to 21st-century standards by Foster + Partners
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
This Joshua Tree home is inspired by the Californian desert's 'openness and sublime beauty'
High Desert House by Ryan Leidner is a US home and studio inspired by Californian landscapes
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Workplace reimagined: tour Expensify's San Francisco office lounge
Expensify's new San Francisco office lounge is a workplace reimagined, designed as a chic members bar
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Beacon House is the contemporary rebirth of a midcentury San Francisco home
Beacon House by Edmonds + Lee Architecture is a renovation project that sensitively brings a modernist San Francisco home into the 21st century
By Ellie Stathaki Published