Skate Streets

A different look at New York streets, from a skateboard point of view

Ping Pong at Tompkins Square Park

It was so nice to be back in my old neighbourhood of the East Village.  M showed me the new ping pong table and we had a quick hit around.   He had described it perfectly – how such a simple addition could bring community together, new neighbours meeting and new connections made.

It seems like it is getting more “trendy” somehow, there was even one at Southbank in Brisbane for a bit as part of their games program.

 

Riverside Park

We strolled the Hudson River from 42nd St to 125th St.  We had started in the late afternoon of “magic hour”.  Intrigued by edge conditions and public spaces, I still really enjoy this stretch of river and the variety seen in it and further south. By the time we got to the other end it was dark, we had strolled and discussed the big topics of life …  and that too is the joy of public space wandering.

Sketch: Central Park

A cowboy in Central Park….more a hipster with some rad boots. 

PS1 MOMA: Holding Pattern

I generally love the PS1 MOMA Young Architects Program, and I especially loved this years – Holding Pattern.  Some years it can be a bit too much architectural wank, but this year I so loved the simplicity and that it was all about the surrounding community!

“Holding Pattern” is a new take on recycling. For it, we talked to as many of MoMA PS1′s neighbors as we could. In addition to cab drivers, we met with senior and day care centers, high schools, settlement houses, and the local YMCA, library, and greenmarket (to name just a few). We simply asked each one: is there something you need that we could design, use in the courtyard during the Warm Up, then donate in the fall, once the Warm Up is over? http://www.archdaily.com/112643/interboro-partners-holding-pattern-winner-of-the-2011-young-architects-program-at-the-p-s-1/

D’espresso

Someone had recommended I go check out  D’espresso (Midtown).   Sure I was there for the coffee, but more for the AWESOME Inception-like-mind-trick of immersive wallpaper going on!   It takes the romantic idea of floor to ceiling bookcases to a new level. http://www.despresso.com/