SEMI-POD \ PROJECT FIND 2.0
san diego, california \ fall 2010
semi-pod \\ semi-permanent + semi-transported + semi-custom
San Diego suffers from the same problems many cities across the nation suffer from. These issues, while easy to talk about, are not as easy to simply fix. This project suggests a temporary pavilion that not only begins to address the major issues, but one that educates. Education is the best way to make a difference at the large scale. Cities including San Diego, have begun realizing how many empty lots there are within the city, and have discussed filling them with temporary tree farms, parks, or public art. Inspired by the Vacant Lot/Garden Transformation of 1917 by a group of San Diego Fire- men, this project will be an attempt to create a temporary, modern garden within the city. The proejct suggests placing these temporary “pods” in vacant lots until the lot is devel- oped to maintain the city’s aesthetic, sense of community, and continue to encourage social interaction. These key factors contribute to a higher standard of living and an over- all greater joy of life. construction + installation The complete site will be made up of two main components: the ‘pod’ and the turf trays. The pods and trays will be constructed off site and shipped to the site the day of install- ation. The simplest module combination requires a single semi-truck with two trailors. Total set-up time is contained within an eight hour work day so the workers, semi, and crane only need to be hired/rented for a single day of work. All these steps have been taken to reduce the amount of installation costs that generally come with any project. funding + support Since there is no limit to the scale and quantity of pods and turf trays per site, funding will be less of an issue. At the beginning, one vacant lot should be chosen as a test lot. The pod can be set up and if well accepted by the public, they city can invest in more to put up around the city. Depending on the size of the lot, the amount of trays and pods can be altered andcompletely customized to the liking of the client and site. Ideally the costs of each would be split between the city and the owner of the lot. then, fundraising can be on an individual level per lot owner. Once the lot is either bought or developed, the semi-pod can be removed and placed in another location. |