Designed for Bed-Stuy’s Restoration Plaza, these “Adopt-a-Square” Murals help bring the community together. They enliven the space with bright and vibrant visual graphic cues for social distancing, which are reflective of and celebrate the neighborhood. The 6’ x 6’ square murals are painted on the ground, creating clear and intuitive ways to practice social distancing, especially during programmed events such as outdoor film screenings and yoga classes.

This tool acts as a method of community building during a time of immense loss and can be replicated in other cities. It engages the community by inviting local artists, school children, business owners, residents and/or community leaders to adopt a square. Collectively, the murals are a physical act that bring the community together in their making, and leave a powerful mark that celebrates the neighborhood’s strength, showcases its history, and highlights its leaders.

WORKING GROUP

Community Group: Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (Restoration)

Neighborhood: Bed Stuy, Brooklyn

Coordinating firm: KPF

Supporting firms: AE Superlab; Farzana Gandhi Design Studio; James Corner Field Operations; JB&B