Park(ing) Day 2021
A Brief Background
As urban designers and planners, we are constantly looking for new, intriguing ways to enhance our communities and bring people together. From cars to pedestrians to bikers and everyone in between, our streetscapes are complex networks full of surprises, both good and bad. In order to understand and react to the various components of our streets, we need to be engaged and experiment with what we can change on a macro and micro scale.
PARK(ing) Day is an annual celebration of the pedestrian experience that speaks to how cities have been built and planned. As members of the architecture and urban community, we strive to continuously put the human experience first at all times. On the third Friday of September, people regardless of profession, come together to progressively alter our urban fabric worldwide. To promote pedestrian activity, urbanists, activists, artists, and in general, humans transform the traditional barrier of cars along our sidewalks by creating a parklet in a parking stall.
The tradition of Parking Day first began as an innovative urban user decided to pay out a parking meter for the day and instead use it as a seating area. These renovated parking stalls have since developed to showcase design work, art installations, playful parklets, and more. The possibilities truly are endless. The theme of Parking Day is to intrigue the passerby and hopefully, encourage them to become involved but also have an informative day full of fun!
The First Park(ing) Day, San Francisco, 2005 - Photo courtesy of Andrea Scher
Our 2021 Park(ing) Day Design
Polyline is inspired this year as we always hope to upcycle and reuse what we can to better our lives and environment. Fabricated by our own employees, the bench showcased at our parklet will be featured in the waiting area of our office after it is used in various areas of Kalihi. This traveling bench is comprised of four components making it easily moveable. It also uses polygonal geometries that vary drastically from each other and not one piece is the same. However, they align in perfect harmony to encourage relaxation and comfort in the beautiful place we call home.
Our design thinking was influenced by the melting pot that Polynesia is. Each Polynesian island from Hawaii to Aotearoa to Rapa Nui is distinguished by its different characteristics both geographically and culturally. From these diverse features, Polynesia finds common ground to form a strong metaphysical connection that is perceived throughout the islands. Although our bench is modular, it is intended to come together as one.
Hawaii much like other islands of Polynesia is a leader in educating others on the importance of culture and tradition. As urban designers, our projects can embody the spirit of Aloha by encouraging movement within our streets to promote health and engagement with communities. Polyline is discussing with Honolulu Complete Streets, the possibility of designing permanent parklets in Kalihi to create more pedestrian-friendly spaces. Honolulu’s towns of Kaimuki and Kakaako have shown that parklets are a viable option to inspire pedestrians to stop and enjoy their surroundings. Partner, Jason DeMarco was previously involved in Parking Day 2015 and 2016 near SALT at Kakaako where there is now a permanent shaded seating area that is used by people visiting the restaurants and shops at this location. We hope through our efforts to energize pedestrian activity, residents and visitors alike will begin to transform the way we interact with our city.
See our previous experience with Parking Day here!
