Serenity Park

By harreypotter | L Pocket Park Design | 2015 National High School Architecture Competition

Overview
Collect Info
Brainstorm Ideas
Develop Solutions
Final Design

Overview Instructions

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Welcome to the 2015 DiscoverDesign.org National High School Architecture & Design Competition!

This year's real-world design problem is to design a pocket park for your neighborhood or school. Click to view the 2015 rules and entry guidelines and registration.

Check out the 2015 Top 10 Winners!

Design Challenge Background

Pocket parks have the ability to activate under-used or open spaces, and turn them into vibrant community spaces. No matter where they pop-up, they provide a unique place for people to gather, rest, play, or escape the hustle and bustle of the day. Cities across the country have been creating more and more pocket parks to bring neighborhoods to life & create a positive sense of place and pride for their community. A pocket park is a small park, typically build on a single vacant lot or on a small irregular piece of land, that is accessible to the general public.

Design Challenge Brief

Design a pocket park for a small piece of land near your school or in your neighborhood. Your design needs to provide spaces for groups to gather, spaces or activites for multiple age groups, and should be no bigger than 14,500 square feet. What might a park look like that is designed with community needs in mind, as opposed to a one-size-fits-all design?

A standard lot size in Chicago is 50'x125'. You could occupy two Chicago lots, adjust the dimensions, or find a lot in your neighborhood that does not exceed the square footage. Can't find an open space? Redesign one!

Your design should include a variety of elements that make a park... a park! From benches, bike shelters and meeting spaces, to playgrounds & pavilions, to cafes, information kiosks, or arts performance areas. You should also consider sustainability issues and the environmental impact of your design.

HINT: Click the little 1, 2, or 3 on the image to get more information and tips throughout the project!

A pocket park is a small park accessible to the general public on a single lot | Photo courtesyof sourcethestation.com

What should I upload?

For your Overview, it is important to post a short, but clear, ‘success statement’ that communicates the goals you hope to solve and achieve through your design solutions. When you’re nearly finished with your design project, you can go back to this success statement to see if your design has met the criteria you first proposed.

For each step along the Design Process we'll give you some suggestions on what to think about, try out, and upload.

To determine what to place in the pocket park, I have to first look at the area around the site and learn more about who lives there. Depending on the surrounding areas and who all lives around the park, the elements should accommodate those who live in the general area. For instance, if the families there consist of mainly parents who have one or multiple children, they would want the park to be kid friendly, but would also enjoy it if it had, say, a running track, or a sidewalk to walk or ride a bike and maybe benches near the playground and a covered patio type thing. If the neighborhood consists mainly of teenagers and young adults, they wouldn't really get as much enjoyment out of a jungle gym as they would say picnic tables for doing homework or chilling with friends. Teenagers and young adults would enjoy a shaded space for work or play much more than a jungle gym. Not to mention, if there isn't a jungle gym, those rowdy teenagers wouldn't be able to vandalize it. Or let’s say that the area consists mainly of elderly people, the elderly are not as flexible as they once were so sitting underneath a tree on the ground might be a little difficult for them. Maybe some benches with tables would be a better option. Now if they have grandchildren, they would need to be able to sit in a close proximity just in case their grandchildren get into trouble or want them to push them on the swings or something. Or for example, if the site is located in the middle of law offices and commercial buildings, a playground with screaming kids wouldn't be ideal.

Comments

Thanks for sharing your design. Your overview, info, and brainstorming sections are strong. They show a keen interest in exploring possibilities and looking for good solutions. I also appreciate your attention to the neighborhood context surrounding your site. It is important for architects to consider the community they are going to build and help guide the design process to create outdoors spaces and buildings that are thoughtful neighbors. Your decision to put a more quiet reflective garden instead of a noisy children's play space is evidence of your initial research into the area. I would encourage you to look at lots of books and other design resources that will help you to learn ways to represent (draw, model, digitally render) your ideas. Drawing is something we can teach people in architecture school, it is harder to teach people to be thoughtful and creative. I think you have some great ideas - don't let your feelings about your drawing abilities get in the way of expressing your concepts.

By arch_crossen, Architect at 06:35 pm, 05 June 2015

Collect Instructions

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Upload a quick sketch of your ideas! | San Francisco park sketch, photo courtesy of ArchitectureForHumanity.org

Collect Information

In the Collect Info step of the design process, you try to gather as much information as possible about your existing school or community parks and spaces, along with the students, staff and neighbors who will use it. You can't propose new solutions until you figure out and document what the existing problems are.

What makes a park?

No two parks are the same, so what is it that turns a park from just a plot of land to a vital community space? Take a look at parks near your school, home, work, neighborhood, and city! For the Collect Info step of the Design process you'll gather notes, sketches, photos, videos, etc. of your observations and research.

Try This

Walk around your school grounds and a neighborhood park. Take pictures of what makes that space a "park".
Visit Flickr or another photo sharing site and search for types of parks. Determine good and bad examples of how parks meet the needs of their community - for all ages.
Post images of buildings, colors, designs, textures, or other things that inspire you in this step. Make sure you give credit to your source!
Don't forget to explain your thinking in writing for every image you upload! Tell us why it's important and how it's impacting your thinking.

Think about

What kind of outdoor spaces does your school have? Would you consider them a "park"? Why or why not?

What kind of parks are in your community? What do you like or dislike about them?

Who uses parks? How do different people use parks? Do they all use them the same way or differently?

Colorful sheltered playground at Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Japan

What types of structures do parks have?

No two parks are the same - each is designed with a specific community and use in mind. Therefore, there are many different types of activities and spaces for people of all ages to enjoy and interact with. Here are a few ideas to kick start your research (Hint: these are great words to search in Google Images!).

Adventure playgrounds

While professional designers used to play a major role in the design of playgrounds around the world, the playground often seen today is a primary-colored collection of plastic equipment with predetermined uses, leaving little room for children’s imaginations. Landscape architects such as Michael Van Valkenburgh are now incorporating different kinds of play spaces into their designs, including in the new Maggie Daley park in Chicago. These ‘adventure playgrounds,’ as they are often called, are made of natural materials and sculpted landscapes with abstract shapes and materials, allowing for the most freedom for imagination.

www.toxel.com

Bicyle Shelters

Outdoor bicycle shelters can be both functional and beautiful in a park space. They offer park visitors a place to lock up their bikes and protect them from the weather. Great places to store bikes safely and in an interesting way can encourage community members to ride their bikes more, and be sure to make a stop at your pocket park! A company called Park-a-Bike specializes in creating these structures - Learn more HERE!

www.brighamyen.com

Ruby Hill Park in Denver, CO | Photo courtesy of levittdenver.org

What types of structures do parks have?

Looking for even more information? What kinds of pavilions or structures have you noticed in parks near you? Have you ever seen a parklet? Here's some inspiration:

Pavilions

Pavilions can be in many forms or functions. Some are simple and protect picnickers from a rainy afternoon. Others are sculptural, outdoor park kiosks, or for community performances!

Think about: What kind of pavilion would your neighborhood benefit from? What examples can you find? What do you like or dislike about them? Why?

Once you choose a kind of pavilion, you'll need to think about what it needs to have inside and out. Here are some things you may want to include in your design:

public and/or private use spaces
bathrooms
storage rooms for food, supplies, or winter storage
seating for performances or gathering
tables and chairs; benches
functional spaces based on your specific pavilion: a kitchen, backstage, open outdoor areas, information windows, etc.

www.behance.net

Parklets

Take inspiration from these tiny parks that pop up in unexpected places like parking spots. Many of these parklets are created by community members looking to activate a space in their own neighborhood, and are moveable, foldable, and able to literally pop-up anywhere!

Think about: What do you notice about their use of space? What kinds of activities can they accomodate in just one parking spot?

www.wrtdesign.com

Bicycle Cities

Biking is a popular -& green!- way to travel. Yet if there is nowhere to lock up your bike, people may be discouraged to use their bike to get around. Did you know that you can Request a new bike rack in your area? Cities all over the U.S. have multiple types of bike racks they can install and all you have to do is submit a request. Where would you like to encourage people to use bikes instead of cars? CLICK HERE to learn about bicycling in Chicago.

harreypotter's work for the Collect Information step:

Summary

So first, I had to analyze the surrounding area of where the site is. What I found was that the site is surrounded by many commercial offices and law buildings.

This is the site I have chosen to work with. It is on the corner of 6th and Garces.

1 comment

This is a cool idea for a pathway going through the park. I really love that it is so unique and...

1 comment

In this downtown district of Las Vegas, there are two parks for every ten thousand people. This is...

0 comments

This is also regarding the downtown district. This explains the landscape requirements if you are...

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This is a list of plants that produce flowers year round in the desert. It is good to know what...

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This is just some information on how the desert plants adapted to living in the desert.

0 comments

This is some information about deserts in general. It will be beneficial to know what a desert...

0 comments

Brainstorm Instructions

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Silver Spring Metro Pocket Park | Photo courtesy of eleven55ripley.com

Brainstorm Ideas

In the Brainstorm Ideas step of the design process, you will develop ideas from all of the information you've collected. You will start to be inspired by new places and you put some early ideas down on paper that show what you've found in the Collect Info step. You also might take more photos to show specific new ideas you have.

The simple diagrams you make here will help you understand how the pocket park location and design compare with your new ideas.

Try This

Draw a floorplan or siteplan of your parks existing facilities. How are all of the different spaces connected? What are the different pathways you can take through all of these spaces? Map all of these structures and spaces.

Use Google Maps to view and print out an aerial photo of your park. Take measurements of the overall dimensions of the area, of both structures and outdoor spaces and use the aerial to map out the measurements.

Post this aerial map and sketch here so everyone can understand the relationship between your school building, the neghborhood, park spaces available, and the proposed site of your new park or redesigned park features. Describe the surrounding area and note existing structures such as paths, seating, bike racks, pavilions, playgrounds, concession stands, and any fences.

On a piece of tracing paper placed over the aerial photo of your school, sketch a diagram showing a large arc around the building to show the path of the sun throughout the day. This drawing is called a site analysis diagram. (Remember, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.)

Landuse Map in Cary, North Carolina | Photo courtesty of townofcary.org

Think About

Will your new pocket park replace your school or neighborhood's existing park spaces or become an addition to a different part of the community? Will it be built in an empty lot or space? Will it be between buildings, out in a field, or built on the roof? You decide.

Spend some time looking at the aerial photo of the area you select. What types of other buildings surround your the site? Homes, businesses, parks, parking lots, or an empty field? How will these other buildings impact the design of your new athletic pavillion? Create a land-use map!

What types of streets surround your school? Are they busy or quiet? What types of streets are in your neighborhood? What might be the best place for people to relax and play?

Based on the site analysis diagram you've sketched, where is the sun located throughout the school day?

How can the structures and outdoor areas of your new pocket park be positioned to take advantage of the sunlight for good lighting?

harreypotter's work for the Brainstorm Ideas step:

Summary

So with all the information I have collected, I've come to the conclusion that my park should target the adults rather than the kids.

I really like the idea of having lights inside the planter boxes, especially for the planter boxes...

1 comment

I want my park to feel almost as if it is a courtyard in the middle of a huge mansion. I want it to...

4 comments

I really like this idea for the fence going around the park. I think the big entrance makes it seem...

0 comments

I think these flowers are super pretty and would make for a good scenery around the park.

0 comments

I think this would be a good idea especially because trees provide much needed shade, so in the...

0 comments

this would actually be super cool to have in the park. it is a ball that rotates and it has water...

0 comments

Most likely going to place a bicycle rack for those who travel by bike. I personally like this one...

0 comments

Develop Instructions

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Pocket Park with Bocce Ball court | Photo courtesy of Lennar

Develop Solutions

You've been gathering all sorts of information, and brainstorming creative options for your pocket park. Now it's time to put all the pieces together and make some final decisions. In the Develop Solutions step, your rough ideas come together with drawings and models that can show others your solutions for a new pocket park.

Try This

Try out different ideas and save each “version”. You do not want to lose a good idea later! Other people viewing your project - other students around the country, your teacher, and mentors - want to see how your ideas have changed over time. This means that while you're working on your digital model, you’ll want to be sure to keep re-saving it with a new file name every few days as you work through the steps.

Make a list of your ideas and associated sketches, or practice models. For your final upload you will want to write a short but effective paragraph of your process and what you found. This will inform the direction you will take for the final solution.

Show your ideas to your teacher and peers for some feedback. You can also review your progress with the test group you may have interviewed and test whether your design would meet their needs or address their concerns. Learn from the feedback you receive and incorporate into your final design solution.

We are all makers. Be sure to check out other student pocket park projects and give them helpful feedback. Don't be afraid to ask for feedback on your work too!

Do not leave work for the last minute! Going through a detailed design process requires time to gather information, develop ideas, and make improvements. This is difficult or impossible if you try to pull everything together a week before your project is due. Projects that are researched, developed, and well executed will always stand out!

CAD rendering of a park space | Photo courtesy of ivarskalvans.blogspot.com.jpg

Think About

Are you reaching your success statement? Review your design and test it against your own observations and review that it has met the project requirements. Did it meet the expectations of the end users that you spoke to? Who is in your community?
How do you imagine people will interact with your new pocket park? What will your design contribute to the neighborhood? Why? How so?
You have designed with community in mind. What role does the community play in any architect's plans? Talk about it.
Keep your park full of activity! How will your park be used in different seasons or weather? Have you been imagining different events or programs that could happen here? Tell us about it! (Check out the High Line in the blue sidebar for some ideas...)

harreypotter's work for the Develop Solutions step:

Summary

Now that I did research and I have come up with different ideas for my park, I now know that my park will be simple yet also beautiful and relaxing. My park will have more of a courtyard feel to it.

This is my second idea. On this one I decided to continue the sidewalk on the right side so that...

1 comment

So this is idea one for my park. The layout consists of added trees, a pathway for walking/jogging...

1 comment

Final Instructions

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Chicago's 606 bike paths and parks transform an old defunct railway | Photo courtesy of the606.org

Final Design

You're almost there! The Final Design step of the design process is to create more finished drawings and models that illustrate your ideas to others. Remember, your explanation text, and the types of drawings, images, and models you share need to tell the whole story of your project to someone who may or may not have ever visited your neighborhood or pocket park site.

Try This

Review your design and test it against your original sucess statement that you wrote for the Overview. Does it meet this criteria?

You might want to share floor plans, elevations, renderings of your digital model, photos of a physical model, or a video animation of your model.

Be sure to comment on other projects in the competition to foster, encourage, and build an online design community of learners in DiscoverDesign. Who knows, they might just have a great idea to help bring your project to the next level! CAF will also recognize students that provide both encouragement and constructive criticism on students' work throughout the run of the competition.

Multi-use pocket park proposal | Photo courtesy of archreview.blogspot.com.jpg

Think About

Does your final design meet the expectations of the students, community members, and/or school staff that you interviewed? If not, you may need to go back to the drawing board and revise your design.

For your final design, you will want to post a short but effective paragraph of your process and the unique solutions you found and developed. Tell us about your ideas and how they may or may not have changed over the course of the project.
What essential skills have you learned? Think about where you started this class or project and what you know now. Practice writing about this here - it might come in handy for a job or college application!

harreypotter's work for the Final Design step:

Summary

(Disclaimer: Okay so before I say anything, I'm just going to say that I am a terrible, terrible drawer.

This is what I would like the front gate to look like. I don't want any gates on the front...

0 comments

This is a drawing of the planter boxes looking out to the street. The yellow on the box represents...

0 comments

Primary links

Serenity Park

Overview Instructions

Welcome to the 2015 DiscoverDesign.org National High School Architecture & Design Competition!

Design Challenge Background

Design Challenge Brief

What should I upload?

A History of Pocket Parks

Staying Happy and Healthy

Comments

Collect Instructions

Collect Information

What makes a park?

Try This

Think about

What types of structures do parks have?

What types of structures do parks have?

What should I upload in this Collect Info step?

Bicycle Cities

harreypotter's work for the Collect Information step:

Summary

Brainstorm Instructions

Brainstorm Ideas

Try This

Think About

Take A Book, Return A Book

What should I upload in this Brainstorm Ideas step?

harreypotter's work for the Brainstorm Ideas step:

Summary

Develop Instructions

Develop Solutions

Try This

Think About

What should I upload in this Develop Solutions step?

harreypotter's work for the Develop Solutions step:

Summary

Final Instructions

Final Design

Try This

Think About

What should I upload in the Final Design step?

Adaptive Reuse

harreypotter's work for the Final Design step:

Summary

Earn Skill Badges

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