Swing Stages Parklet
Swing stages are platforms typically used for the servicing of tall building exteriors. While we use them to maintain many of the buildings around us, they will inevitably be renovated or demolished for new infrastructure. Made with temporary scaffolding materials, this Swing Stage Parklet (2020-2021) invited us to reflect on our ever changing urban landscape and its relationship with our natural environment.
The Swing Stages Parklet was one of the chosen submissions in the 2020 City of Toronto Parklet Design-Build Competition. The temporary installation was designed in collaboration with Sasha van Stavel and Remi Carreiro, as well as Wonder Inc. and Blackwell Engineers.
Acknowledging the City of Toronto’s approach to managing temporary products and installations in a sustainable manner, our design incorporated both reusable and recycled materials in an effort to reduce the overall amount of materials used.
The framework of the Swing Stage used construction scaffolding that was rented and returned upon end of the parklet’s use. Facing the roadway, gabion walls consisting of recycled bricks and stones were installed to protect parklet users from passing traffic.
In efforts to acknowledge the City’s direction for incorporating green infrastructure designs into the Temporary Parklet, the design integrates small planting pockets within the gabion walls. Using native summer flowering plants that are known for their minimal care and watering needs, the Temporary Parklet will provide a source of seeds and berries for birds, and nectar and pollen for beneficial insects, like bees and butterflies.
The wood elements, including the deck and benches, were constructed from skateboards and church pews. Following the parklet’s use, wood and masonry materials were recycled and donated respectively to ensure minimal impact was left on the environment.
