The Project for Public Spaces is in the holiday spirit, proving that you can laugh and make good points about urban design. In honor of April Fools’ Day, they posted their own roast of the world’s public spaces. The government, they jest, is about to alter the National Historic Preservation Act with a “Failed Public Space amendment.”
The article jokes:
“I was pleased to see the inclusion of my Guggenheim on this list,” commented renowned architect Frank Gehry. “I designed the area around the museum to be so off-putting and isolating that not a single pitiful human soul could interrupt the ultimate artistry of my masterpiece.”
Another item imagines Starbucks baristas to be thrilled that the coffee chain is replacing its failed #RaceTogether campaign with a #PlaceTogether effort. Former Vanguard Mike Lydon also gets a mention — with a yarnbombed tank. PPS says that to celebrate his new book with Tony Garcia, Tactical Urbanism, they are “launching full scale military-style campaigns in cities across the country in an effort to improve city space by and for the people.”
And just when the Internet was about to forget about that dress (it was white and gold!), PPS asks: What color is this bench?
After an Instagram post of a park bench photo went viral, the landscape architecture world is ablaze with controversy over its true color. While some assert the bench is black and blue, others only see white and gold. Scientists are calling this an unparalleled viral response to a common physical phenomenon, but the debate within the profession is getting personal. “I’ve concluded that it is clearly white and gold,” said James Corner ASLA, “What is wrong with you people?”
But seriously, check out the whole post here.
Jenn Stanley is a freelance journalist, essayist and independent producer living in Chicago. She has an M.S. from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
Follow Jenn .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Never Miss A StoryDownload our app