A once dusty parking lot in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties neighborhood has become a popular dining and recreation spot after Post Brothers, a local real-estate developer, created a pop-up mixed-use park with recycled shipping containers.
The contemporary Piazza Pod Park includes beer-garden-style dining, open-air shopping, art installations, fitness activities and family play areas. The 35,000-square-foot space is dog-friendly, seats up to 300 people and is open seven days a week to the public.
Post Brothers representatives chose Britten Inc., a creative production house, as their partner in producing the customized shipping containers. From initial shop drawings to fabrication to final delivery and installation, Britten created 15 units, ranging from 10- to 40-feet long, in under four months.
Many of the brightly painted pods include air-conditioning, upper deck systems, glass windows and doors, LED light fixtures, powered retractable awnings, insulation, HVAC, oak flooring, stereo systems and more.
“I am in awe of the unique ways in which the vendors chose to make these spaces their own,” says Wayne Stiles, director of Industrial Design & Engineering at Britten. “During the design process, you are always wondering how they will be used—and then, surprise! They totally take it in a direction that makes you say, ‘Why didn’t I think of that? What a fun project!’”
PHOTOS: Britten Inc.