Studio Meanwhile, City Blocks Urban Furniture, The WKNDRS
The South Granville BIA partnered with City Blocks to reimagine their neighbourhood plaza to further stretch the imagination of creative public space projects in the South Granville BIA. The design intention was to implement a safe space for cyclists and pedestrians to share the plaza and reduce the amount of cyclist and pedestrian traffic collision incidents. To achieve this, we brought forward the concept of an asphalt art mural, which would clearly delineate a pedestrian-friendly area and a cyclist bike lane. In July 2023, the South Granville BIA, The artists WKNDRS and City Blocks co-organized a community paint day to paint the plaza’s new asphalt art mural.
City Block's Pocket blocks have helped facilitate in making the plaza a popular spot along both cycling and pedestrian commuter's routes for rest and relaxation.
The site responds to the annual cadence of seasons, being able to shift between serving as a rest stop or brightening up with the warmer months to become a popular event space for the surrounding businesses.
Our loungers and pocket blocks have become iconic components of the South Granville Plaza experience, with people gathering, resting and relaxing there daily.
Studio Meanwhile and City Blocks has the privilege of working from the unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō (Sto:lo), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, also known as Vancouver, British Columbia. While this is our local home, we recognize that our work extends into the global realm of public space and has an impact on contested, politicised lands that have been and continue to be stewarded by many different and distinct local groups. It is our intention to help elevate these spaces in respectful and honourable collaboration with those who inhabit them, to further our mission to make public space available and accessible, for all people.
