(For those who clicked on this link from the GOOD website, welcome, and please read on for our community service idea!)

re:SEAT Mid-Market

If you have been following the exploits of HOK San Francisco’s Mid-Market Revitalization team, you will know that we leave no stone unturned in an effort to realize our vision. Following the successful opening of two kiosks along Market Street, the team has collaborated with the Central Market Community Benefit District (CMCBD) to envision a new design intervention in the Mid-Market District.

The Mid-Market area, despite its central location and immediate adjacency to the successful retail and financial centers of San Francisco, has been suffering from high crime rates and nearly total storefront vacancy for decades.  New signs of life have been appearing, including an increasing presence of arts-related organizations and novel dining establishments, joining the existing (but often overlooked) strengths of the area, which include most of the city’s performing-arts venues, and the highest concentration of families in the entire city in the neighboring Tenderloin district.  Against this backdrop, re:SEAT aims to build on this momentum, calling attention to the positive developments, and springboarding towards that point of critical mass where change is inevitable.

Our team has developed concepts for sidewalk interventions using a flexible kit of parts which can easily adapt to site constraints, and lend itself to input from property owners and the general public.  The concept includes public seating, hardscape, and landscape elements made from sustainable materials such as steel (an inherently recycled material), lumber salvaged from waterfront renewal projects currently underway, and state-of-the-art sustainable concrete, as shown below in pictures. We believe that the neglect and decay in the Mid-Market area can be countered by a united community and an invested citizenry. Our seating concept provides much-needed space at Mid-Market (currently lacking) for interaction, play and leisure. We believe that re:SEAT is one of the catalysts towards real change in the area.

re:SEAT - Looking towards Hallidie Plaza

Our team is now seeking funding to implement the project with a pilot installation to be followed by other installations throughout the Central Market Community Benefit District, and perhaps beyond.  While the site and specific design of the pilot project is still to be determined, we have developed a range of potential installations to demonstrate the concept and begin the next phase of community outreach and partnering.   We have signed on a construction company for pro-bono construction services, and Concreteworks, who have agreed to provide their high quality and innovative concrete work at cost.

With that said, one of our current funding opportunities is from the www.good.is website, on their Summer Funding Challenge. The winner (chosen by open voting) receives $5000 in grant funding, to be applied to any community service project that will be activated this summer. This is a perfect opportunity for our team to realize our vision, so please check out our entry here! And yes, please do VOTE FOR US if you also believe in our concept, and the power of positive thought. Voting begins June 8th, and ends June 29th!

Watch this space for more updates.