A team of alumni from the NewSchool of Architecture and Design in San Diego has taken over a 28,500-sf empty city block in that metro to create what they hope will be a revenue-generating urban park that, when it opens on March 5, includes food service, retail, performance and meeting spaces, and a dog park.
The urban park, called Quartyard, was funded partly by local residents through a Kickstarter campaign that raised $60,000 from 300 donors in 30 days. All told, Research Architecture Development Laboratory (RAD Labs) has $500,000 invested in this venture, according to its 29-year-old CEO Philip Auchettl, who formed the company with NewSchool classmates David Loewenstein, who is RAD Labs’ COO; and Jason Grauten, a partner. The park, in fact, started out as their college thesis project. (The company’s CFO, Adam Jubela, has a degree in entrepreneuriship and finance from the University of Arizona.)
Originally, Auchettl tells BD+C, RAD Labs’ plan was to install “pop-up” structures on the lot. “But then we asked ourselves why properties like these were vacant in the first place.” His team concluded that there was nothing to draw people or businesses to the site. So RAD Labs decided to “activate” the lot temporarily, “as a placeholder for future expansion.”
RAD Labs has already tested its “activation” strategy, as a way of drawing people to a site, with a 12-month installation at another empty lot, which used 300 recycled pallets for benches and tables. The site is next to a coffeehouse, “which encourages people to walk in and use the space,” says Auchettl.
After meeting with former Mayor Bob Filner and the city’s attorney, RAD Labs agreed to lease the vacant block for Quartyard for two years, with a 12-month extension. The city’s development arm, Civic San Diego, eventually intends to build high-rise housing on this site, although no timetable has been set, and this block has been vacant for a number of years.
(The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that RAD Labs is paying the city $1 per year for the lot, and will split any profits with the city and its financial partners. Auchettl tells BD+C that local residents and students “who wanted to become part of something different and exciting” are also investors. He did not disclose any names.)
As of last week, Quartyard had three permanent vendors: Best Beverage Catering, which will run a beer garden (hence the park’s name); a mini coffee shop, and a restaurant called S&M Sausage & Meat. Auchettl says that when the park opens it will offer a series of food trucks that might change from day to day; an area where concerts, meetings, and private dinners can be held; and a dog park, which should be a big hit in downtown San Diego where “there seem to be more dogs than people,” he quips.
Vendors will set up in 14 recycled shipping containers around the periphery of the park. They purchase and refurbish the containers and lease their space. Auchettl says his team was drawn to the “simplicity” and portability of the containers, which have become popular components in the urban “cargotecture” movement that has sprung up in different parts of the country.
Auchettl says his company—located in offices at NewSchool, a few blocks from Quartyard—isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. “But an urban park today can’t just be a few benches and trees. Now, it has to be an activity space.”
Related Stories
| Nov 22, 2011
Jones Lang LaSalle completes construction of two new stores in Manhattan
Firm creates new global design standard serving as project manager for Uniglo’s 89,000-sf flagship location and, 64,000-sf store.
| Oct 24, 2011
BBS Architects & Engineers receives 2011 Sustainable Design Award from AIA Long Island Chapter
AIA LI also recognized BBS with the 2011 ARCHI Award Commendation for the St. Charles Resurrection Cemetery St. Charles Resurrection Cemetery Welcoming and Information Center in Farmingdale, NY.
| Oct 14, 2011
University of New Mexico Science & Math Learning Center attains LEED for Schools Gold
Van H. Gilbert architects enhances sustainability credentials.
| Oct 12, 2011
Consigli Construction breaks ground for Bigelow Laboratory Center for Ocean Health
Consigli to build third phase of 64-acre Ocean Science and Education Campus, design by WBRC Architects , engineers in association with Perkins + Will
| Sep 30, 2011
BBS Architects & Engineers completes welcoming center at St. Charles Resurrection Cemetery
The new structure serves as the cemetery's focal architectural point and center of operations.
| Sep 14, 2011
Lend Lease’s role in 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Lend Lease is honored to be the general contractor for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum project at the World Trade Center site in New York City.
| Sep 12, 2011
Living Buildings: Are AEC Firms up to the Challenge?
Modular Architecture > You’ve done a LEED Gold or two, maybe even a LEED Platinum. But are you and your firm ready to take on the Living Building Challenge? Think twice before you say yes.
| May 25, 2011
Olympic site spurs green building movement in UK
London's environmentally friendly 2012 Olympic venues are fuelling a green building movement in Britain.
| May 18, 2011
Improvements add to Detroit convention center’s appeal
Interior and exterior renovations and updates will make the Detroit Cobo Center more appealing to conventioneers. A new 40,000-sf ballroom will take advantage of the center’s riverfront location, with views of the river and downtown.
