2. First:
Something I noticed after
moving to New York...

3. There are large green mailboxes all around the sidewalks the city

4. Mystery:
What are these things?
Why are they everywhere?
Why are they so big?
What are they for?

5. What they’re for...

6. What they’re for...

7. What they’re for...

8. What they’re for...

9. What they’re for...

10. Now:
What could be done with them?

11. “For designers, it is important to formulate
a concept which makes action for the public
concern possible.”
Jan van Toorn
Design’s Delight
2006

12. So:
Can I realize JvT’s design ideal?...

13. With mailboxes?

14. Why not?

15. Now:
A few examples of what
I’m thinking of...

16. The Highline
Built on the elevated NY Central RR
“West Side Line”
Opened in 1934 for commercial use
Closed and abandoned in 1980
Re-opened on June 8, 2009
1 mi. linear park
W. 20th St.

17. M.I.K.E.
“My Internet Kiosk Everywhere”
22” interactive screens
with web access
Be able to purchase web access
$1 for 4 min. online
50¢ for a 15 min. phone call

18. M.I.K.E.
“My Internet Kiosk Everywhere”
22” interactive screens
with web access
Be able to purchase web access
$1 for 4 min. online
50¢ for a 15 min. phone call

19. Bookshelf in a Phone Kiosk
Not sure who did this
Pretty awesome

20. Heuristic:
The utility of these old and ignored
relics of analog communication can
be intervened upon.

26. Algorithm:
Create a public investigation
venture for the boxes

27. Algorithm:
Create a public investigation
venture for the boxes
Promote awareness

28. Algorithm:
Create a public investigation
venture for the boxes
Promote awareness
Assessment of what
can be done

29. How much value could this
intervention add to NYC?

30. I think:
The added social value could be huge

31. Added social value:
Improve the public sidewalk space

32. Added social value:
Improve the public sidewalk space
Aesthetically

33. Added social value:
Improve the public sidewalk space
Aesthetically and/or
Functionally

34. Added social value:
Improve the public sidewalk space
Aesthetically and/or
Functionally
Improve user experience with
the sidewalks

35. $17k Lead Development
$13k Research and Development
$11k Online Media Strategist
$04k Professional Consultation
$45k Total four month development budget

36. $17k Lead Development
Project branding, promotion, and development
Personal salary and expenses
$13k Research and Development
Data collecting
Number of boxes in the city
Figuring out what can be done with boxes
Exploring to find potential end result of project
$11k Online Media Strategist
Promote aweareness of boxes via social media
Create network of people interested in the project
$04k Professional Consultation
Legal advice for project
Advice from industrial designers/craftsmen/artists