Design A Doodad: PARK it!

Let's design our own pop-up parklet that can fit in a PARK(ing) spot for the worldwide celebration of PARK(ing) DAY.  

What is it? The number of parks throughout Philadelphia increases dramatically each year on the third Friday in September, when activists, artists, architects, and other citizens transform metered parking spaces into temporary public parks.  Known as PARKing) Day, this annual event re-imagines the possibilities of 140 square feet of public space.  The event celebrates parks and other public spaces in cities across the country and raises awareness of the need for more pedestrian-friendly spaces in our urban areas.

How did it start? PARK(ing) Day was founded by Rebar, a San Francisco art and design studio, in 2005 to raise awareness of the need for green spaces in urban environments. Philadelphia celebrated PARK(ing) Day for the first time in 2008 with over 25 installations for relaxing, cycling, creating art, education, and socializing.

Erike De Veyra, designer and founder/head coach of Design Gym, serves to increase access and representation in the design industry. Erike uses her training in architecture to design and develop initiatives, public programs, and experiences for clients and the design curious.

Design a Doodad is a Design Gym (@designgym .co ) series of hands-on workshops for all ages that are design-curious, enthusiasts, converted + professionals to learn about design foundation principles in the disciplines of architecture, fashion, graphic + textile design to name a few. Design Gym makes design accessible through tools, activities, projects + experiences because everyone can be a designer. Flex your creativity with us!

Age Requirement: All ages, any youth should be accompanied by a grown up

Design Level: [take the quiz!] Ranging from curious, enthusiast, converted + professional

Design Discipline/Interest: all design, architecture, digital design, fashion design, graphic design, industrial design, interior design, landscape architecture, textile design, urban design

Accessibility:

• There is a zero-step entrance into the building with steps and chair lift to bring you to our floor.
• Upon reaching our floor it ramps down to our studio.
• The building was an existing building, in our space there is small 1.5- to 3-inch lip between the two areas of our space that has been highlighted with purple light to see the change in levels.
• One accessible bathroom are available on our floor.
• Please reach out with other specific accessibility questions or requests and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Available on-site:

• Two bathrooms on our level, with one (1) accessible bathroom.
• There is a communal kitchen with a sink, microwave, and a refrigerator.
• Water fountain and refilling station.

is located in the Norris Square neighborhood in North Philadelphia/Olde Kensington area of Philadelphia.

Walking: Cross-streets of Hancock and Berks.

Biking:

• Bring your bike into the building, or use the bike room is in the loading dock area along Hancock Street
• Indego Bike Stations available at 2nd & Norris Sts (2 blocks away), Front & Berks Sts/Berks MFL (3 blocks away)

Accessible via SEPTA:

• Berks stop on the Market-Frankford Line (3 blocks away)
• Bus Route: 3 on Berks Street, 57 on N. American Street (2 blocks away)

Driving:

Street parking is available immediately on the block of the building, and two-hour parking north of Berks Street.

Health Precautions:

• Masks are optional, but are encouraged for any attendees who choose to wear one. We respect our guests choices on this matter.
• If you are not feeling well, please consider wearing a mask or joining us at the next event.

Host or Publisher Design Gym