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THE FUTURE OF LEIMERT PARK
Sole Folks is a non-profit enterprise at the heart of Leimert Park that is creating change through action, uplifting the Black community through entrepreneurship and youth development.
Its creative retail space offers Black entrepreneurs a place to build and launch their brands. Black artists are given a place to showcase their collections and gives the youth an innovative educational model to develop their passions and skills in the creative fields.
A monumental shift that makes a big statement of something new. Rooted by the black community and history, there's a sense of familiarity.
A feeling of space and calm to breather in and exhale creativity. Ingenuity and artistry through materials. Concentrations of color and technology to create movement. Interesting compliments of nature and sneaker culture.
Transcending to the next level signaling the Future of Leimert Park.
THE DESIGN BRIEF: CREATORS FOR COMMUNITY
Over 14 weeks, a Transdisciplinary group of 10 ArtCenter students, operating as a professional design consultancy, worked collaboratively with Sole Folks in designing and developing their brand, retail spaces, creative work spaces and incubator programs.
THE PROJECT SCOPE
BRAND CREATIVE DIRECTION
Define the future of the Sole Folks Brand.
BRAND BOOK
Develop a book that represents the brand, giving it a clear identity.
ONLINE PRESENCE
Design a compelling website platform that is cohesive with the
creative direction and Sole Folk's core mission.
RETAIL SPACE
Create a retail space that tells the story of Sole Folks, a place of Black entrepreneurship, creativity, and holistic growth.
THE LAB & OFFICE SPACE
Maximize functionality and potential of these creative work spaces.
THE JUICE BAR & OUTDOOR GARDEN
Showcase Sole Folk's focus on holistic wellness and growth.
THE INCUBATOR PROGRAM
Help define the vision and strategy of their entrepreneurial and educational incubator program.
Current Retail Space
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The biggest problem that we faced with this project was finding space for inventory. Sole Folks wanted to carry 30+ brands, create space for shoe inventory, and be an art exhibition space.
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HOOD FUTURISM
Material Atlas
This Garden will not only provide fresh scenery but also provide fresh ingredients needed for items in the juice bar.
We wanted to bring more life back into Sole Folks. We intend to make a vertical garden in the back patio that would create more of a living space.
BACKYARD OASIS
Storyboard Wall
Brick Wall
Sole Folks Merch Table
Juice Bar
Merch Countertop
Laser Etched Acrylic
Brick
Steel
Brushed Aluminum
Melamine
Anchor Core
Powder Coated Steel
Rope
Brass
Denim
Duo Toned
Plywood
Acrylic
Duo Toned
Plywood
Plywood
Chiffon
Laser Etched
Chain
Duo Toned
Plywood
Acrylic
Clamp
Duo Toned
Plywood
Acrylic
Current Backyard Space
Garden Wall Concept
Materials
Pine Plywood
Douglas Fir 2x4
The whole structure will be made from plywood and 2x4. The bottom base will have smaller pieces of 2x4 that fit in the corner so the front and side pieces can be screwed into from the bottom.
The brown structure was created for reinforcement so that it won't fall over
The orange pieces at the bottom are the bottom of the planters. They will be screwed onto the structure from the bottom.
This Structure will have to be made in separate pieces so that it can be transported. Leaving a small portion of the assembly at Sole Folks.
Additional elements were added to structure from ceramic tiles to plumbing. We wanted to add a seating aspect to the structure and create a way so that we can connect it to a hose to water the plants.
The white ceramic tiles were put in front to create more natural lighting and reflecting some of the green from the plants.
Refined Details
This entire structure will be the divider between the store and the alley. The main element that will block the alley would be the creeping fig plant that will grow behind the wall.
Garden Wall : 8ft x 12ft x 3ft
I was then given creative freedom to redesign the entire backyard space into something that would elevate the area as well as create a multipurpose place.
Backyard Oasis
Floor Planter
I really wanted to have as much green as possible in this space. I didn't want to use artificial grass so I decided to create a huge planter structure on the bottom where we would fill it up with dirt and plant grass.
This strucutre will also be useful to plant the furniture and the Wall into. It will seem as if the furniture would be growing from the ground.
Modular Furniture
I designed the furniture into 3 parts. The railing system, the platform, and the seating.
The railing system would be part of all 3 pieces it simple design allows for the seating structures to slide in and out.
The platform would be made out of steel and inserted into the ground. It will have gaps just enough to slide the seating into it.
The seating would sit on a piece of steel that would be planted on top on the grass. It will also have space underneath for storage.
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