Woodworker Frank Peck unloading the crates
Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co: Woodworker Frank Peck unloading the crates containing the unassembled pieces of timber
(Image credit: press)
By David Kaufman
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Even in a city that practically invented eco-consciousness, Andres Power is one urban planner with some serious chutzpah. The 30-year-old San Francisco native heads up the city’s Pavement to Parks initiative, which not only develops green spaces in the city centre, but also creates them from perhaps the most coveted real estate possible: parking spaces. Called parklets, these public spots are lined with greenery and welcome cyclists and pedestrians alike.

The parklets are spare in form, simple in function, yet brazen in execution in such a car-centric city. The first two arrived last spring, taking over two or three former parking spots fronting accommodating businesses such as cafés or bicycle shops. Four more parklets are planned for 2010, while a giant version taking 30 spaces along two blocks is planned for early next year.

‘With this project on the ground,’ Power enthuses, ‘we’ll finally be able to say that we’ve truly reclaimed the street for people.’

Peeling aside the protective layers

Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co
Peeling aside the protective layers covering the timber strips

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The timber strips

Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co
The timber strips revealed

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Pieces with different widths

Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co
McMakin prefers to work with timber that’s cut into pieces with different widths

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Big Leaf Manufacturing’s workshop

Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
The crates of timber for the flooring arriving at Big Leaf Manufacturing’s workshop where the timber is processed

(Image credit: press)

A quiet moment before work begins

Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
A quiet moment before work begins on the timber strips

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A consignment of timber strips

Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
A consignment of timber strips waits to be transformed into flooring

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Warehouse at Big Leaf Manufacturing

Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
The crates of timber in the warehouse at Big Leaf Manufacturing

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Prepping the timber for cutting

Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co
Prepping the timber for cutting

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At Big Leaf Manufacturing

Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
At Big Leaf Manufacturing

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A worker at Big Leaf Manufacturing

Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
A worker at Big Leaf Manufacturing

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A worker at where most of Roy McMakin’s projects are prepped

Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
A worker at Big Leaf Manufacturing where most of Roy McMakin’s projects are prepped

(Image credit: press)

Machines used to work on the floor boards

Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
One of the machines used to work on the floor boards

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Finished floor showing the irregular joins

Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
Detail shot of the finished floor showing the irregular joins as designed by McMakin

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McMakin and his new floor

Roy McMakin for Ebony and Co:
McMakin and his new floor for Ebony and Co (the collaboration was brought about by Wallpaper's Handmade issue, W*137)

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A black blank image

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One of Andres Power’s parklets

Parklets, San Francisco

One of Andres Power's parklets (a former parking spot now reclaimed and turned into a green recreational space) on San Fran's Divisadero Street

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Andres Power, in front of one his reclaimed parking

Parklets, San Francisco
Andres Power, in front of one his reclaimed parking places

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Cafes or bicycle shops

Parklets, San Francisco
Taking over two or three former parking spots, the Parklets accommodate businesses such as cafés or bicycle shops

(Image credit: press)

Another photo of Cafe and cycle shop

Parklets, San Francisco
Four more parklets are planned for 2010, while a giant version taking 30 spaces along two blocks is planned for early next year.

(Image credit: press)

Blueprints for his venture

Parklets, San Francisco
One of Power's blueprints for his venture

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Public spots are lined with greenery and welcome cyclists

Parklets, San Francisco
These public spots are lined with greenery and welcome cyclists and pedestrians alike to take some time out

(Image credit: press)

Black blank image and unframed: lacma blog written

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Inside the Resnick Exhibition Pavilion

The Resnick Pavilion at LACMA

Inside the Resnick Exhibition Pavilion. 'The 2000 Sculpture', 1992, by Walter De Maria

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The open-plan museum

The Resnick Pavilion at LACMA

'The largest purpose-built open-plan museum in the world,' according to The Los Angeles County Museum of Art

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The all-glass entrance

The Resnick Pavilion at LACMA
The all-glass entrance

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21-bay sawtooth-skylight roof

The Resnick Pavilion at LACMA
The 180ft by 200ft structure is topped by a striking 21-bay sawtooth-skylight roof

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Inside Renzo Piano’s vast structure

The Resnick Pavilion at LACMA
Inside Renzo Piano's vast structure. 'The 2000 Sculpture', 1992, by Walter De Maria

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Inside the pavilion

The Resnick Pavilion at LACMA

Inside the pavilion

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Black blank image and ROY MACMAKIN FOR EBONY AND CO written

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David Kaufman
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