SPUR Lunchtime Forum: Taking (temporary) root: Pop-up storefronts and an urban farm in Hayes Valley

"Learn about two innovative ideas for “interim uses” for vacant lots in San Francisco. One concept, called “Proxy,” developed by envelope A + D would install portable retail, restaurant and gallery structures on two lots along Octavia Boulevard. Another, proposed by the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association, calls for a community farm on a 1.5-acre lot where the Central Freeway used to touch down. In support of these proposals, the City is proposing a new piece of legislation that would encourage land owners to offer up their vacant lots for temporary, public-oriented uses. With Douglas Burnham of envelope A+D, Aaron Hulme of Suppenkuche (a “Proxy” participant), Jay Rosenberg of Hayes Valley Farm and Rich Hillis of the Mayor’s Office of Workforce and Economic Development."

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San Francisco Designing Public Amenities in Empty Lots

By Matthew Roth |
Architectural rendering of two parcels adjacent to Patricia’s Green in Hayes Valley, one of which is currently vacant and the other a parking lot. The project, called "proxy," would be developed for two to three years in space that will eventually be housing. Images: Envelope Architecture and Design. At a forum hosted by the San […]

Architecture and the City Festival: Flexible Urbanism

By Aaron Bialick |
Register at http://ac11envelopezus.eventbrite.com Sponsored by suppenküche This event is 21+ Join Douglas Burnham of envelope Architecture+Design and Kristian Koreman ofZUS in conversation about flexible urbanism, evolutionary planning and the evolving definition of what it means to be an architect in contemporary society. Based more than 5,000 miles apart, each firm is radically transforming underutilized neighborhood space into vibrant creative compounds. By embracing […]

This Week in Livable Streets Events

By Michael Rhodes |
This week, celebrate brand new smooth pavement and join the fight for a more open government. Plus, more highlights from the Streetsblog calendar: Monday: Celebrate Smooth Pavement on JFK Drive. The SFBC’s Good Roads Campaign worked with the city to prioritize this and other pavement improvements on the city’s busiest bike routes. Join the crew […]

Building a Farm Where a Freeway Used to Be

By Matthew Roth |
Moving mulch on the old Central Freeway on-ramp that is becoming Hayes Valley Farm. Photo: Matthew Roth A few weeks ago in San Francisco, a number of urban farmers opened a gate in a chain-link fence at Laguna Street, between Oak and Fell Streets, and entered an overgrown lot that has been unused for nearly […]

SPUR Lunchtime Forum: Vacant lots: ideas for temporary use

By Abigail Shull |
"How can we activate some of San Francisco’s stalled construction sites into spaces of beauty, inspiration and public use? What policy incentives are being used to make this idea attractive to landowners? Inspired by a series by the Chronicle’s urban design critic, John King, a handful of local artists and designers have developed innovative proposals […]