Inhabitat Staging » P(LOT) - reclaiming parking space for secret dwellings

April 27, 2006

P(LOT) - reclaiming parking space for secret dwellings

All around the America people are reclaiming the streets from the grasp of the greedy, gas-guzzling automobile. First there was Rebar’s PARK(ing) project, where a rogue bunch of San Francisco activists started turning vacant parking spots into mini-parks. Now we discover P(LOT) - a project by Micheal Rakowitz to reclaim parking spaces and turn them into mini mobile living areas, in the form of tents made from recycled car-covers!

(P) LOTquestions the occupation and dedication of public space and encourages reconsiderations of “legitimate” participation in city life. Contrary to the common procedure of using municipal parking spaces as storage surfaces for vehicles, (P) LOT proposes the rental of these parcels of land for alternative purposes.

Clever idea, I just wonder if this isn’t a bit too reminiscent of real-life tent cities in places like San Francisco. I know this is a “conceptual project” but still…

Via Worldchanging

5 Responses to “P(LOT) - reclaiming parking space for secret dwellings”

alex Says:

April 27th, 2006 at 7:49 pm

Accidents happen even with parked cars, I sure wouldn’t want to be in one of these as an out of control vehicle comes smashing into one of these things. We all know who would “win”. Perhaps I am too realistic?

Manuel Says:

April 27th, 2006 at 9:34 pm

I agree with Alex. Even parallel parking seems to be beyond many drivers. And what happens when a street sweeper comes by? :)

Ro Says:

April 28th, 2006 at 9:44 am

It just needs to stand out more. And I think it will help if you can make a copy of an expensive car (Rolls Royce, Bentley etc.) That way, people will think twice before bumping into you. ;)

Joe Says:

May 2nd, 2006 at 9:24 am

Considering that there are more cars registered in San Francisco than available parking spaces, this could be considered an exercise in frustration and futility.