Noriega Street Parklet by Matarozzi Pelsinger Design + Build
Matarozzi Pelsinger Design + Build designed a space for sitting, eating, and playing, replacing three parking spaces on a street in San Francisco, California.
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Project description
The site, a 45° parallelogram, is subdivided into two separate spaces to help accommodate different kinds of user groups (dogs & children, young & old, quiet & loud, bikes & strollers). One space opens generously to the sidewalk, while the other is more protected and intimate. The required 3’ setback from adjacent parking spaces is exploited to provide seating on both the interior and exterior of the extra-deep benches. The acute corners are embraced as areas for planting and “chaise lounge” seating, where tight plan geometry becomes an excuse to put your feet up.
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The parklet was designed pro-bono and constructed at cost. All planting was done by neighbors (and their kids!). The succulent garden was assembled entirely from donated plants brought in by neighbors and bakery patrons.
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Design: Matarozzi Pelsinger Design + Build
Photography: Wells Campbell
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jesus teves on 23 Nov 2012 at 4:20 am #
streets are for cars, sidewalks are for pedestrians, parks are for kids.
never mix the 3 areas.
jesus teves on 23 Nov 2012 at 4:22 am #
i will not let my kids play in an area next to moving cars!
that is just crazy. a drunk driver could sideswipe those kids or they could get to the other side of the parklet – the road!
Justin on 23 Nov 2012 at 1:14 pm #
Nothing like sitting out in the street with your back towards traffic
Bugis on 25 Nov 2012 at 9:14 pm #
Finding parking in San Francisco is already difficult enough. This was really not needed.
The Illegal Architect on 26 Nov 2012 at 11:55 am #
The notion that streets are for cars is a fairly new one, say last 50 years. I reject the idea that we should segregate cars, pedestrians, and kids, that is the premise of the suburbs and I think most of us know the problems associated with that mode of living.
Dustin on 26 Nov 2012 at 2:30 pm #
Typical Americans, always afraid of getting hit by cars and drunk drivers. You could walk down the sidewalk and get hit. Life is too short to hide in your homes and this is a interesting proposal. I can imagine this in front of a newly opened restaurant that wants some outdoor space, or a temporary solution to a street event. Either way, comments that consist of worries about drunk drivers fail to see what the potential is.
As for Jesus Teves. Phones are for talking, Ipods are for music, computers are for using the internet. Never mix the 3…
Morechorizo on 27 Nov 2012 at 9:50 pm #
Parklets like this add class and beauty to otherwise dull urban environments. The Sunset district needs more of these, more trees and more pedestrians. Nice work, Matarozzi Pelsinger Design + Build.