On September 21, 2012, AIA Pittsburgh, along with more than 20 other organizations throughout Pittsburgh, participated in the open-sourced event known as PARK(ing) Day.
Developed in 2005 by Rebar, a San Francisco-based design studio, PARK(ing) Day started as a small scale intervention of re-imagining the urban landscape, with the goal of temporarily converting a metered, on-street parking space into an area promoting social interaction. The mission is to draw the public’s attention to the need for more open space in our urban areas, much of which is consumed by surface parking for single-occupant vehicles. Under the mantra of reclaiming their cities, thousands participate in what is now an annual global event to raise civic awareness, and spark some lively debate.
AIA Pittsburgh’s installation for 2012′s PARK(ing) Day was “Architecture.”
AIA Pittsburgh had previously participated in 2011′s PARK(ing) Day event with an installation entitles “An Architect’s Studio”, where what we do and who we are was put on public display, and in 2010’s PARK(ing) Day event, with an installation that transformed a parking space into an outdoor reading room, with architecture books, tables, and a sofa.
Interested in learning more about PARK(ing) Day? Check out the national website at http://parkingday.org/
