Studio Meanwhile, City Blocks Urban Furniture
Vancouvers neighbourhood plazas are small but powerful public spaces. Places to eat, rest, connect, and take part in local life. They support small businesses, spark celebrations, and make room for civic and social connection here in the neighbourhood and city we proudly call our home.
Installed in Summer 2025, City Blocks partnered with the West 4th Business Improvement Area to refresh a neighbourhood plaza just in time for the iconic Khatsahlano Festival.
The transformation featured our new Urban Hearts—a welcoming symbol of belonging—and Low Line Loungers, offering festival-goers a much needed place to sit down and enjoy the festivities. These pieces are sticking around in the plaza to provide neighbourhood residents (and visitors) a place to relax, connect, and soak up the vibe of West 4th.
During khatsilano the urban heart was situated right in front of a live music stage. Like a giant human lily pad, it became a hub for eating, chatting, relaxing and soaking in the musical vibes.
Since then it has become a well-loved spot by locals who use the plaza daily for connecting with friends, grabbing a bite of food from the surrounding restaurants, attending the ongoing plaza events, or simply just to take a break.
Studio Meanwhile and City Blocks has the privilege of working from the unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō (Sto:lo), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, also known as Vancouver, British Columbia. While this is our local home, we recognize that our work extends into the global realm of public space and has an impact on contested, politicised lands that have been and continue to be stewarded by many different and distinct local groups. It is our intention to help elevate these spaces in respectful and honourable collaboration with those who inhabit them, to further our mission to make public space available and accessible, for all people.
