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The Softwalks initiative was born out of the MFA Transdisciplinary Design [2] program at Parsons, The New School [3]. Students were inspired by the Department of Transportation’s [4] amazing makeover of the city’s traffic heavy areas into giant pedestrian walkways like in areas like Herald Square and Times Square [5]. The group banded together and created simple kits with chair pieces, a counter, a light fixture, a planter, and a green trellis [6] that anyone can pick up and install onto the beams of their nearest scaffolded area [7]. The initiative aims to transform nearly 6,000 construction sites, equalling 189 miles of covered sidewalk.
The project’s greatest aspect is that anyone can get involved. The kit pieces are modular [8]and lightweight, making them easy to install, take down, and reuse in new areas. The kits also create a public art activity, involving the community to brighten up their construction-heavy [9] areas. Whether its a coffee break spot or a new community garden, Softwalks allows anyone to activate a once drab sidewalk shed into a fun and functional public space.
+ Softwalks [10]
via PSFK [11]
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