The system is now designed to really take on the persona of becoming this urban editor that whites-out the space both physically and by means of augmented reality. The trailer has received coats of white and new surface panels (more photos coming soon). The structure itself need to be more modulated in the sens that it comes specific pieces with multiple parts — not just made from one or two panels.
Test with strong adhesive clear tape and small cabinet brackets were not that sufficient in terms of an overall aesthetic. There were also tests with synthetic leather straps with epoxy- yet one fold would show a clean edge while the other side would bulge out. In these first test, one thing that remained clear was that system was not modular at this point (March 13, 2012).
In order to create panels that bi-fold and can easily be put in the back of a truck — there came the thought of using double hinges. However, these are too wide for the 1/4″ panel thickness. Therefore, another alternative was to use either a modulated piano hinge and also a special fabric tape used by sail makers to repair sails. The fabric tape required a rod (which was suggested in the Grad ID sketches) to help fold 180 on both sides.
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the following are experts from a presentation given on 03.13.2012 and also include (post-thoughts) as well
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Soft Publics is a deployable system that recalculates the zoning of parking stalls, right of way, setbacks of buildings as new public utility.
We use temporal means to activate these hidden public utilities. Municipal Codes define parking stalls as hourly spaces (30 min, 2hours, 4hours, etc. ). The right of way for sidewalks and the setbacks of buildings are set by city codes to be dedicated open areas for purposes of traffic and accessibility. The new public utility is a formula defined by (the time allotted for street parking, the width of the public right of way, and the area of adjacent set backs.)
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Soft Publics is not a missionary project
We are not saving anything or anyone.Soft Publics is not a, or an extension of, a parklet system or pop-up park
Although those have great intentionSoft Publics is not a non profit.
We are also not a private association with RoadviewAds.com or any sign company specializing with road view advertisements.
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Soft Publics exists in a marginalia of streetscape and definitely makes sense in Los Angeles.
These margins are exceptional places in Los Angeles because they are made up adjacent spaces that are governed by different bodies of local government. No part of the streetscape exist without reason but maybe are under utilized or ripe for an intervention. We take a proactive stance by stretching the definition of ‘ a registered vehicle with an attached trailer’ to reveal these spaces. Only in Los Angeles, would a vehicle be used to make a new type of public space.
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Soft Publics leverages media by being a adaptable system for the purpose of ‘space-programming’
In between the plan and section of these revealed spaces lies the potential for new programming of a public space. The system is not only hacked U-haul truck, a hacked parking stall, and a hacked floor plan but also a hacking of municipal codes. These are used to help layout the first series of programming for Soft Publics.
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SOFT PUBLICS 