Swissnex ‘Event Machine’ Parklet

Location

730 Montgomery St

Status

Inactive

Opening Date

June 2015

Designers

Gehl Architects with ETH Zurich Urban Think Tank and students from UC Berkeley

A parklet dedicated to content and conversation.

Dubbed “the event machine,” the parklet at 730 Montgomery Street was a modular stage that could readily host public talks, panel discussions, workshops, screenings, and more. When it wasn't activated for events, the parklet offers passers-by an offbeat place to stop, sit, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the Jackson Square Historic District.

The parklet was one of few in the city dedicated to content and conversation, not café seating. The parklet was the focus of an Urban Design Seminar class at UC Berkeley tasked with defining how best to use and program public space.