Parsons students launch kickstarter campaign for planting their parklet on 13th Street and Fifth Avenue for Street Seats
The Design Build course from the School of Constructed Environments is launching a Kickstarter to fund planting for the Street Seats project.
About this project
In collaboration with the NYC Department of Transportation, the Design Build course of the School of Constructed Environments has developed this year’s Street Seats project for the corner of 13th Street and Fifth Avenue. The DOT Street Seats program reclaims portions of New York City’s streets for much needed public space. These spaces provide a safe and attractive seating area for the public and the New School community. Our course explored alternatives to the city’s standard Street Seats design and imagined a space that reflects the New School’s ethics and vision.The New School is welcoming the warm months of the year by exhibiting an innovative space where our community and the public will converge. The design uses the provided 40ft x 6ft space along the curb of 13th Street where we incorporate an area to relax, converse, and interact with the city. We began installation on Earth Day (April 22), coinciding with the New School’s Earth Week. We intend to have a generous amount of planters to surround the public seating area. It will be an evolving space over its seven month lifespan.The project has been funded by the NYC Department of Transportation, Tishman Environment and Design Center, and Parsons School of Constructed Environments, however we must raise an additional $2,500 to pay for planting. Species include lavender, rosemary, various succulents and more. This project will be enjoyed by all passersby and the plants will benefit everyone in the vicinity, so we are asking for any donations from the local community to help realize our dream of creating this small urban oasis.
Risks and challenges
We've been working strategically with the DOT to meet the extensive guidelines and requirements that the city of New York has put in place in order to ensure supreme design standards.The project was built on April 22, however we still need to acquire $2,500 to purchase plants.