When Studio Outsiders got together last month to talk about Park(ing) Day 2014, we had no idea what we would do. We spent hours talking about concepts that were low-budget, didactic, and well-designed. Sometimes it got heated when talking about materials and feasibility. (Where are we going to get 500 plotter rolls on this short of notice, and who is going to propagate all those plants?!)

Then someone said "ya know, people like fun stuff..." Someone else replied "then how about a bocce court?" Discussion over.

We used recycled pallets (donated from Living Earth and Southern Botanical), some plywood and lots of screws to construct the skeleton. We added some artificial turf (donated by Synthetic Grass Pros) for the playing surface, some bamboo for shade (donated by Southern Botanical), and it was finished! We had an awesome day hanging out downtown, meeting new people, seeing old friends and playing bocce.

Many, many thanks to the people and businesses that helped us pull this off!

Our bocce court could be making an encore appearance at the State Fair, so check back soon!

“Design is a funny word. Some people think design means how it looks. But of course, if you dig deeper, it’s really how it works.”

— Steve Jobs

Here at Studio Outside, we’re excited to introduce our Second Nature Initiative. Second Nature is a socially and ecologically focused initiative, based within the Studio Outside design firm. We are passionate about public interest design and we want to create a positive impact in our community. You might say it comes as second nature to us. Our vision is to take a thoughtful look at what is happening in our city, our neighborhood and right in our backyard, and our aim is to discover where a few engaged landscape architects can collaborate with like-minded entities and members of the local community to make a positive lasting influence.

So what exactly does Studio Outside’s ‘Second Nature’ look like? It could take the form of a small-scale intervention or community project, similar to Little Free Libraries or (PARK)ing Day. Or possibly, it could be an ongoing large scale study, researching the current built environment and cultural history of our office neighborhood. Right now we are working on the organization and structure of process and are very much in a ‘defining and discovery’ phase.

View down an alley along Parry Ave. All photographs by Charlie Pruitt.

Looking towards downtown along South 2nd Ave and Oak Lane. — Looking towards downtown along South 2nd Ave and Oak Lane.

Most recently, we have been exploring our neighborhood, Deep Ellum and Exposition Park. By wandering around, we are discovering the unique character, new favorite spaces and places, and recognizing potential opportunities.

Looking across an urban meadow to the East bound entrance of I-30. — Looking across an urban meadow to the East bound entrance of I-30.

Rail line remnant between Commerce Street and Exposition Avenue.

We are very excited about Second Nature, but this initiative is still in its infancy. We will be exploring as we go, this is a journey and we are excited to share with you as it continues to develop. We’ll will be posting updates on our progress and research as it comes along!