P3 (Pico Pocket Park) was created to address a specific question in mind:
How can we design a sustainable green space that encourages exponential, beneficial, inclusive, and communal recreational activities without causing displacement of the residents?
P3 is a two-level pocket park designed to maximize the effectiveness of the site's area and actively works to engage the community in a three-phase design concept.
P3 Frame Structure
Phase 1: Architectural Design
Due to the limited space, it was necessary to create a structure that maximizes its interior, exterior and vertical areas. The solution was to add a second level. This not only maximizes the vertical space and creates shaded, private, and safer areas, but also allows pedestrians to easily pass through the street the park occupies. This additional space can additionally accommodate for gatherings, workshops and community engagement. The structure itself is a permeable metal frame construction with modular perforated metal panels that can be customized to block unwanted views and provide vertical surfaces for murals and planting. The frame gives the park its boundaries without blocking out light or air.
Phase 2: Interior Design
The first and foremost goal is to benefit the community with this design. This phase creates opportunities for all demographics, dividing the space up with planting areas with a variety of air purifying plants, a variety of seating options, and designated play areas.
Phase 3: Community Engagement
What are the best ways to get people to interact with the park? The actual structure creates this interaction by acting as a chalkboard, a mural space, a community garden, and a vertical garden wall. With these features members of the community can increase engagement, express themselves, cultivate a community garden, and learn about seasonal plants.
Northwest View
Features:
Community Mural
Modular Playground
Community Garden + Planters
Second level suspended net seating
Sliding gate door for overnight security
Plan View
Front View (gate open)
Front View (gate closed)
Northeast View (gate open)
Northwest View
Southwest View
Bottom of Ramp
Top of Ramp
Second Level Net Seating Area
P3 is a project proposal submission for 2022 Pando Days. Pando Days is a program that brings together creative minds within higher education from the Arts, Humanities, Sciences, and Technology to tackle the biggest sustainability challenges facing Southern California. This year's focus was on four key areas that client-partners from across Los Angeles had identified as urgent needs.
Client-Partner: Careers by Design LA with Pico Union Housing Corp.
Challenge: Urban green space development - Pocket parks
Location: A 2,500 sq ft section on W 12th St & S Alvarado St
Targeted OurCounty LA Sustainability Goals:
- Goal 3: Equitable and sustainable land use and development without displacement
- Goal 6: Accessible parks, beaches, recreational waters, public lands, and public spaces that create opportunities for respite, recreation, ecological, discovery, and cultural activities
- Goal 3: Equitable and sustainable land use and development without displacement
- Goal 6: Accessible parks, beaches, recreational waters, public lands, and public spaces that create opportunities for respite, recreation, ecological, discovery, and cultural activities
Front View