About the River

Beginning in the 1930s the Los Angeles River was channelized due to historic flooding. The once wild river now flows through a series of concrete basins, ranging from vertical walls, to natural riverbanks.

history

Flowing a total of 51 river miles through Los Angeles, the Los Angeles River is rarely engaged with through recreation, leaving it underutilized and full of potential.

51 miles

temporary spatial installations

The spatial experience is installed in a unique location on the Los Angeles River.
On site installation of large stair-like structures and floating ‘island’ platforms. The structure is adjusted dependent on the channel type and conditions of the site.
The installation remains installed for around 6 months during the dry season. The community is invited to gather, explore, and recreate along the river.
The experience is removed from the site during flood season.
The process is repeated at a new location along the Los Angeles River.

How It Works

What Draws us to rivers?

Engaging with the river through non-traditional outdoor recreational usage

Rounded platforms provide resting places, and guide individuals to gaze across the river. Large stairs lead down the banks, inviting new perspectives and exploration down to the river. Green netting dapples sunlight, mimicking leaves and branches in nature.

Water as a location for gathering is a universal experience. When a river is industrialized, and transformed from a natural bending form to a linear channel; the way that the people interact with the space changes.

Site

Example site location for concept. Located in between the East 4th Street Bridge and 1st Street Bridge. Unique in the large distance from bank to bank.

Example Site Location

Sustainable Materials

Waste wood products such as railroad ties and wood telephone poles are used as the building materials for the platforms and stairs of the installation. Green playground netting strung through holes in the platforms creates areas to lounge by the river.

By utilizing waste materials, the deconstruction and reinstallation of the spatial experiences is much more sustainable.