​The artist team of Matter Architecture Practice (NY) collaborated with landscape architects Gavan & Barker (AZ) to improve Pierce Street in front of the Phoenix Public Market. The enhancements included narrowing the street, widening the sidewalk on the north side, and adding trees and sculptural shade structures with seating.

The project’s combination of shade created a model for reducing the urban heat island effect and making our desert city more walkable and comfortable.

The project design was assisted by a National Endowment for the Arts Mayor’s Institute of City Design 25th Anniversary grant. The series of five interconnected shade canopies are made of durable steel, hardwood and architectural ceramics. They are part of an ongoing series of public art projects to add artist-designed shade to public spaces throughout Phoenix.