Designers were asked to use Engage to gather community feedback on their proposal. See that people said
For Stage 1, designers were asked to use Engage to gather community feedback on what they would like to see in the select site.
Here is your chance to provide design feedback to the designer. Please be respectiful.
This is the proposed design for a vacant lot located in the heart of Japantown, San Jose on Jackson Street, between 4th/5th streets. After reviewing the suggestions and concerns of the community, there seemed to be some interest in an interactive space for events such as pop-up fairs/shops or places to gather. There was also a suggestion to show work from local artists, which I wanted to incorporate into the design. The proposed design is a micro park inspired by a Japanese forest with a flexible open space for gathering and art displays.
There are planters on either side of the site acting like a river bank. In-between is a winding pathway flowing to an open space intended for small gatherings such as markets or art fairs. The planters as well as a few large boulders provide seating for visitors. To illuminate the site, there are new lightposts along the perimeter. Additionally, some projectors are mounted to the posts to display artwork at night. Having both lightposts and projectors give the flexibility to show either artwork or just provide lighting to the site. These would be programmable so new designs would be shown.
This design was inspired by the Japanese forest with its organic forms and peaceful atmosphere. For this site, I utilized native plants as well as local artists, for the murals and light show graphics, to cultivate a similar feel. The main pathway cuts through the center of site, like a river with the planters as the riverbanks, creating this journey through the "forest" to the main gathering space.
