Gallery: Cities 2016: Why Design Matters Now

  • Image may contain Architecture Building Vehicle Transportation Boat Cruiser Navy Military Ship Human and Person
    San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
    01

    AAA-7097-300dpi

    San Francisco's South Park in 1867.
  • Image may contain Car Vehicle Transportation Automobile Human Person Path Wheel Machine Road Urban and Asphalt
    San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
    02

    AAA-7041-300dpi

    In 1940.
  • Image may contain Human Person Vehicle Transportation Car Automobile Road Tarmac Asphalt Intersection and Urban
    San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
    03

    AAZ-0285

    In 1990.
  • Image may contain Grass Plant Outdoors Lawn Park Tree Yard Nature Woodland Vegetation Forest Land and Ground
    Christie Hemm Klok/WIRED
    04

    1M9A3205-V2

    In 2015.
  • Image may contain Diagram Plot Plan Animal and Fish
    Fletcher Studio
    05

    08-FS-ACADIA

    And how it's being redesigned for 2016. Fletcher Studio used modeling software to determine the best path through the park, taking into account entry points, adjacent building use, and their own analysis of the site.
  • Image may contain Diagram Plan and Plot
    Fletcher Studio
    06

    South Park Illustrative Plan-D

    The park’s design took its cue from English gardens: all meandering paths and framed views. Planter walls and platforms convey a sense of movement.
  • Image may contain Human Person Plant Grass Park Outdoors Lawn Furniture Tree Vegetation and Flagstone
    Fletcher Studio
    07

    2--Main-Plaza

    Grassy areas and tables, interspersed throughout, make the park a perfect place to chat, eat, or do some parkour.
  • Image may contain Plant Grass Human Person Playground Play Area Lawn Bird and Animal
    Fletcher Studio
    08

    5-Playground-

    A central sculpture inspired by a sea slug’s curved body doubles as a freeform playground.
  • Image may contain Grass Plant Human Person Outdoors Lawn Park Path Water and Tree
    Fletcher Studio
    09

    4-Entry-at-3rd

    The park’s main artery is a winding concrete path that blurs the boundary between pavement and plants.
  • Image may contain Human Person Grass Plant Outdoors Tree Lawn Park Vegetation Flagstone Water and Campus
    Fletcher Studio
    10

    1--Entry-at-2nd

    Bigger sidewalks, reconfigured walkways, and freshly paved streets make the park safer for pedestrians.
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