The Getty

An incredible combination of indoor and outdoor space, the Getty Museum is perched above Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean.


Manicured exteriors reference forms utilized in the design of the structures planted nearby.

Petco Park, San Diego CA

With the left feild open to street level and it's location in the heart of Downtown San Diego, Petco Park is definitely worthy of some attention. Not only that, but the grassy slope situated behind the outfield fence serves as a free local park during non-game times and a highly affordable ($5 a ticket!) way of watching America's favorite past time.

An excellent example of adaptive reuse, the Western Metal Supply Co. building, a hundred-year old brick structure that had been scheduled for demolition to make way for PETCO Park, was saved and incorporated into the design of the ballpark. The building was renovated and contains the team store, private suites, a restaurant and rooftop seating. The southeast corner of the building serves as the left field foul pole, and is protected by a strip of bright yellow angle iron.

Project for Public Spaces

Project for Public Spaces is a great resource and inspiration  for Parks, Public Markets, Downtowns, Public Squares and more. They are advocates of "Streets as Places", "Placemaking"  and "Great Cities" , concepts not generally thought about or understood.

From their Mission Statement: "Our vision is to act as the central hub of the global Placemaking movement, connecting people to ideas, expertise, and partners who share a passion for creating vital places".  

To explore their site:  http://www.pps.org/

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, Boston Massachusetts

Created as a joint venture by the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of Boston and various citizens groups, the Greenway is a mile-long strip of public space that occupies the land reclaimed by the Big Dig Project, which moved a6 lane wide stretch of roadway underground.

This image is of the North End Parks, which were designed by the Wallace Floyd Design Group and Gustafson Partners and are intended to reconnect the urban fabric that was severed by the Central Artery of the recently completed underground freeway. The twin parks are located along the Freedom Trail and bridge the gap between the North End, (quaint Italian District on the waterfront), and Faneuil Hall/Quincy Marketplace near the Financial District and Downtown Boston. On Friday and Saturday mornings the street corner nearby is overrun with local fruit, veggie, fish, cheese, and flower venders. On warm days like today, the fountains are decorated with young children enjoying the refreshing spray.

To read more about the Greenway project, visit their website: http://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/index.htm

To read more about the Big Dig project, visit their website:

http://www.masspike.com/bigdig/background/index.html