Purge Sculpture

Filed under 'random' this sculpture was spotted the previous weekend along the waterfront just north of the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle.  A pile of vegetated 'cans' with the word 'Purge' punched into them - alas a web search has yielded little in terms of info beyond this.  Anyone have any info?

UPDATE (02/12/14):  Buster Simpson dropped a line with some background info:

"The galvanized steel  barrels or oil drums  are the work of Buster Simpson,   The work is part of an ongoing community streetscape   project,    Growing Vine Street.   The barrels  are placed on both sides of Vine Street and  serve as a entry marker,   threshold or gateway  as one enters Vine Street from  the Alaskan Way  waterfront  and  connects a community garden,  Cistern Steps and Beckoning Cistern.  

The barrels are strapped to galvanized steel pallets   implying product in transit and a reference to the Seattle working waterfront.  The planters are  sited adjacent  the historic location of the American Can Company  and next to the RR tracks  where now shipping containers roll by.    PURGE is pierced into the base   of the barrels,    and allow excess water to drain,  perhaps purged  by plants and the limestone within  neutralizing the acid rain.    

These barrels were originally shown at the Capp Street Project,  in 1993  at an alternative art space,  in San Francisco  as part of a urban watershed reclamation installation.   

(all images copyright L+U)

Materials Library: Rust

A revisit of an old feature on L+U, investigations of materials for inspirational purposes.  For starters, one of my favorites, the rusted metal of Cor-ten, weathering steel, or whatever you'd like to call it, a durable and wonderful addition to exterior projects in it's ability to blend with natural materials (landscaping, wood, stone) and more urban materials of concrete and glass.  The following shows a display of a few projects displaying the wonders of rust. A simple installation for this exterior stair also shows the malleability of creating forms with metal for this Tourist route Atlanterhavsvegen by 3 RW Arkitekter.

 :: image via Vulgare

A Perfect Perch

Atop the rooftop chaise lounge at the Sattler Winery in Tadten, Austria by Architects Collective (spotted via Arch Daily)


:: image via Arch Daily

Elizabeth Caruthers Park

One on the more recent additions to the park inventory in Portland is the neighborhood park for the South Waterfront Area. (see here and here for more on SoWa). The park is named Elizabeth Caruthers Park (after one of the pioneering founders of Portland - on whose original land claim the park now lies) this new addition offers another iteration of the national firm paired with local for park projects. As this site isn't one of those you 'happen to be near and want to swing by', it's been less on the radar than some other visible additions to the Portland landscape, which I will be showing off soon as well.

I did see this a couple of times during construction, but had an opportunity and some sunny weather this weekend to swing by and snap a few images of the completed park.


:: image (c) Jason King - Landscape+Urbanism

The $3.5 million park design was completed by Hargreaves Associates, along with local firm Lango-Hansen and artist Doug Hollis. Finished size is 2 acres, and the design plays off the proximity to the river, high density mixed use buildings, and the potential to be a flexible event space.

:: image via Portland Parks and Recreation

The context of the park is interesting, as the area is now starting to fill up with more buildings, giving some scale to what was previously a flat 2 block area. This makes me think that the scale and design of the park will be much more appropriate given the final build-out of this dense neighborhood. The designers worked a number of elements into the space and I think successfully captured the ability to split the space up into smaller 'rooms' without diminishing the whole. As mentioned on the PP&R website, the park offers a range of uses for this emerging neighborhood. These include:

"Urban Gardens: A community gathering area with movable tables and chairs and a built-in bocce court, a garden retreat area with granite seat walls and a historic marker honoring the site of Portland's first cabin, and an environmental play area with a spray/play stepping stone feature and seating logs.

Naturalized Landscape: Boardwalks, naturalized plantings, undulating topography with stormwater detention, and Song Cycles public art created by Doug Hollis.

Open Lawn: Flexible space, including an 8' tall sloped landform for seating, sunning, and play.

Other Features: A variety of trees and plantings, pathways with benches, park lighting, a festival edge on Bond, electrical infrastructure for events, bicycle racks, a drinking fountain, dog waste bag dispensers, trash receptacles, and streetscape improvements."

The dominant feature of the park is the large open grassy area, which was being used mostly for dog walking. The sculptural mound, obviously is a typical Hargreaves signature, but seems restrained here as a backdrop and tilted plane that could work as amphitheater seating. While maybe 10 feet at it's apex, you don't feel terribly high up due to the flatness of the surrounding landscape. Dare I say the berm needed to be much larger and more dramatic to really have the impact in this sized space.




:: images (c) Jason King - Landscape+Urbanism

The individual rooms contain such features as water play, sculpture, and interpretive elements all bordered by waves of plantings defining the spaces while allowing hints of what lies beyond. The water play was interesting as it was surrounded by rubber playground tiles (the slightly darker brown) for safety - and the individual pieces of the feature itself use two different rock textures for an undulating appearance.




:: images (c) Jason King - Landscape+Urbanism

The waves of plantings give definition to the space, along with the curving pathways. This layering provides an interesting foreshortening of spaces adding to their comfort and intimacy..


:: images (c) Jason King - Landscape+Urbanism

The plantings and pathways also lead to other rooms, for instance this flexible seating area and bocce court. The ability to move furnishings around takes advantage of the user preference for where and in what configuration they sit. These seats surround a simple decomposed granite court (the same d.g. used for secondary pathways) again simply delineated with sparing use of stone.




:: images (c) Jason King - Landscape+Urbanism

The remaining perimeters of the park (to the south and west sides) feature a series of low depressions and raised boardwalks, creating a wet, shade garden with Pacific Northwest species mixed with selected non-native ornamentals including groves of multi-stem birch which are a nice touch. The boardwalks cut through these wet zones, and vary from a sinous curving variety here...


:: images (c) Jason King - Landscape+Urbanism

... to the much more rigid straight boardwalks weaving through the south section. The shade is predominantly from the building directly south, casting a shadow almost completely within this zone - and giving a very different feel from the heat of the open lawn areas - probably even more so in the height of winter.


:: images (c) Jason King - Landscape+Urbanism

The sculptural elements 'Song Cycles' by Doug Hollis are also dotted through this area, making for some visible movement and drawing the eye skyward. I was kind of disappointed with these - essentially an oversized bicycle wheel with some cups to catch the wind and swing them round. From the RACC website, they were "... Inspired by a historic photograph of bicyclists resting at a nearby site, these “Song Cycles” are activated by the wind."


:: images (c) Jason King - Landscape+Urbanism

And a quick video of them in action I took...

'Song Cycles' from Jason King on Vimeo.

These areas are definitely shady at mid-day, offering some relief from the heat. They do suffer from a lack of usable seating, as most of the paths are raised above grade with an occasional seat. Obviously meant to be moved through more than to linger, the shade and coolness makes it a refuge worth hanging around for and I wish there would have been a larger space carved out on this end mirroring the more sunny north side. Perhaps one must make due with just hanging your feet over the ipe decking into the water below?


:: images (c) Jason King - Landscape+Urbanism

It was interesting how little you notice the proximity to the interstate from inside the park - it registering just as a low drone in the background. While the context of the park seems cut off from the riverfront (which will hopefully seem more appealing once it is completed), another contextual element that's fascinating is the constant movement of the Portland Aerial Tram nearby the park. The little pill from pill hill kept drawing my eye upwards in fascination (the thing has been in for a couple of years now, and I seem to never tire of watching it)... another short video:

Aerial Tram from Elizabeth Caruthers Park from Jason King on Vimeo.

As a new neighborhood park (in an emerging neighborhood that some still say hasn't emerged) I was expected to see the park completely devoid of people, even on a sunny Saturday. While not teeming, there was a respectable crowd moving through - either hanging out in the seating areas, lounging on the berm, running dogs in the lawn, and grabbing a quick smoke break from a restaurant across the way. All in all I give the park high marks - and it's going to be interesting to see how this space evolves - influenced by new building in the neighborhood, more people residing and working here (like the LEED Platinum OHSU Center for Health and Healing in the distance), and intentional active programming of the spaces. The designers did a great job of incorporating a lot of activity and flexibility into 2 acres, and I'm looking forward to seeing this park mature and thrive. Now about that berm...

Urban Urinals

Well in defense of the scatological, peeing in urban areas (or other specific displays of a variety of bodily functions) is something of a way of life (often in the doorway of our downtown office). Portland has become another in a line of cities experimenting with public toilets in the inner city for use by tourists, downtown denizens, and the large number of seasonal homeless.


:: image via Trend Updates

From Trend Updates: "A archetype of the toilet estimated to cost from (US) $140,000 — (US) $360,000 has been built under the (US) $500,000 development program budget, but [Commissioner Randy] Leonard feels hat the planned mass production model would cut down the cost to a mere (US) $25,000, that is in case he lures the other cities into getting them."


:: image via Trend Updates

"The stainless steel solar loo would prove economical on maintenance and is functional in all climate with solar powered lighting, heaters and ventilation. In my opinion, the other cities should try the product as it is eco-friendly and would save a lot of money both in the production and usage departments."

While full scale toilets are an option, these often lead to potential crime issues (or opportunities for policing) and in the case of Seattle, a total and expensive removal after a rash of issues. Perhaps a more simple and decentralized type of facility is necessary.

A couple of examples. The first, via Treehugger, offers a sculptural option of the 'Pee Tree' by Joa Herrenknecht, which: "...has the abstracted form and the dimensions of a tree. It's bright ceramic white is a strong signal and is to be seen from far - making it accessible when in urgent need. The trunk offers a perfect place for messaging, e.g. the common "I was here" or "done that" statements, which we all know from Club-toilets."

:: image via Treehugger

A more small-scale example (via the Design Blog) is the Axixa by Mexican designer Miguel Melgarejo, who: "...has come up with a public urinal concept... that will help in maintaining the cleanliness in the streets. Featuring the shape that a leak leaves on a wall, the public ceramic urinal generates a permanent mark in public streets or places where people can urinate and participate in a manifestation in which the disposal itself becomes part of the public life."




:: images via The Design Blog

Sometimes, when you gotta go, you gotta go. It's good to have options.

Bad Idea of the Week

This one from Treehugger made me question what the actual point of this exercise was in the grand scheme of landscape and furnishings... "Michel Bussien has designed a new way to help you get up close and personal with nature--by turning it into furniture. The "Growing Chair" shown is a sharply designed mold that allows you to turn greenery into a chic seat."


:: image via Treehugger

There's an interesting history of integrated furnishings and literally bending plants to our will to create structures and furnishings. This seems like torture for the plants to fill the lucite containers, offering nothing good for the plant and little for us in these clear prisons of furnishings. Maybe you can read more from Treehugger and the designer and decide for yourself how you feel. I'm not buying it..


:: image via Treehugger

Reimagining Shade

A couple of active competitions address a similar and pressing issue - reimagining the function and form of trees in our urban areas.

árboles urbanos

First, via Urbanarbolismo, the árboles urbanos competition, sponsored by asa, provides the following challenge (via translation, so apologies for any misrepresentation): "The Urban Trees Asacción is organized around a design competition for young architects and architecture students seeking proposals to reward low-cost prototypes consisting of artificial trees to learn and understand the logic of the plant and introduce, in addition to functions that already have trees in the city, new programs of environmental awareness and use. ... It therefore asks the contestant to produce designs that artificial trees also should be located in one of two Spanish cities that are the heritage of humanity: Alcalá de Henares, or Santiago de Compostela. It is, at the discretion of the contestant choosing one of them so that the design fits the site and contribute to enhancing the values specific to sustainable forms of urban life in these cities are home, either in the Old Town, in the case Alcala de Henares and subsequent expansion in the case of Santiago de Compostela."

For submittal info check here, and link here for more info: http://www.canalasa.es/

:: image via Urbanarbolismo

Gimme Shelter: Ideas Competition for Urban Shade

The second competition is Imagined for the baking hot City of Phoenix by their Office of Arts and Culture. The competition blog site explains the gist: "Designers are urged to invent new forms for built shade. Beauty, scale, functionality and durability are essential criteria. Designers should consider how southern, western, eastern overhead and low-angle (late day/early morning) exposures require different forms and approaches. Designers should also consider the merits of combining built shade with living shade. Designers should propose materials that minimize the transmission of heat, both from the shelter and from the surrounding ground. Plastics, fiberglass and other materials prone to disintegrate in sunlight should not be considered. The use of sustainable materials is also encouraged. Materials and finishes should be durable, easy to maintain and graffiti resistant. The integration of solar panels in the design is encouraged where appropriate. The City is seeking ideas both for streetscape shade and for open spaces, such as parks."

More info on the submittal

:: Apologies to the Rolling Stones - image via Wikipedia

The Cold Seat

I recently received an email from Hongtao Zhou, a University of Wisconsin-Madison Artist/Designer that recently installed a project on Lake Mendota with an environmental statement and a frigid ends - something a person who grew up in North Dakota can appreciate. Enjoy!


:: Ice & Snow Furniture Raised From Lake Mendota - image via Hongtao Zhou

From Zhou "Recently I created icy furniture on frozen Lake Mendota near the UW-Madison Memorial Union Terrace shoreline. They connect the lake, the land (architecture), the air and the people and complete a sustainable life cycle with minimum environmental impact. I hope the public climate art can help to raise up awareness of sustainable design with less or without negative impact."


:: Snow Bowls for Ice Cream - image via Hongtao Zhou

Following the weather changes, the furniture will back into the lake and become a part of the water body again and complete their beautiful green life cycle."


:: installation - photo by Susan Frikken sfrikken@yahoo.com

No Shortage of Site Furnishing Options

The eternal quest for more innovative furnishings always leaves mean amazed by the constant and never-ending iterations of a flat or semi-flat slab, 15-18 inches high, and able to last in outdoor situations and be cleverly placed or comfortable enough to place ones ass on for a spell. Different materials, configurations, and just plain oddities are the sum of this post - all with the same goal - take a seat.

The first is an interesting use of 'found' objects to create seating - perhaps in that next parade or police action - when the need to sit comes - you have got to take advantage of what's in close proximity. Contemporist shows this project by Jeffrey Gerlach and Andrew Stanley, Industrial and Interaction Design students at Syracuse University, DPW ADK - an adirondack version with an upcycled flair.






:: images via Contemporist

There a trend toward very interactive and sometimes acrobatic furniture, and a couple of projects touch on this idea. First is the 'Swingers' chair, via The Design Blog - the point of which I have not a clue.


:: image via The Design Blog

And the second, a more flexible option - art piece, kinetic sculpture, and multi-function bench - The Turn is a warped tank-tread design that looks equally appropriate in the gallery, some playtime, for some snoozing time in the park.






:: images via The Design Blog

Not necessarily 'site' furnishings, I couldn't resist these grassy wall panels from Design Miami 08 from the HSBC Private Bank lounge designed by Humberto and Fernando Campana - which via Dezeen take the: "...form of an “Oca” – a traditional communal dwelling from the Amazonian forest."




:: images via Dezeen

Some more contemporary examples as well, including one of my favorites - The Stones stool - designed by Marco Maran - although I've yet to get these on a project, ah recessions... via Contemporist.


:: image via Contemporist

Another modular example is The Campus Bench with its continuous forms that allow for infinite iterations and configurations. Simple and effective.

:: image via The Design Blog

And a significantly more shiny example of curvilinear modular seating via Contemporist - the Italian manufacturer Altreforme provided the simple and sexy Liquirizia modular seating.

:: images via Contemporist

And in closing, my absolute favorite. Leave it to the Scandinavians to dress up 'rustic' park furniture with a modern touch... via Vulgare. Kinda beats the National Forest versions... Nice.

:: image via Vulgare