The 4 Mile Bench, an invitation to San Francisco
What if Market Street was a place for joy and care?
SITELAB urban studio’s 4-Mile Bench has been selected as a winning idea in the 2025 Market Street Reimagined Competition hosted by Mayor Daniel Lurie, ULI, Civic Joy Fund and accompanied by an accomplished, international jury.
Market Street is the civic spine of San Francisco, yet there is rarely a place to sit, rest, or pause. Our proposal transforms Market Street from a place of scarcity to one of abundance by installing a continuous bench that stretches the length of the corridor on both sides of the street.
A single bench has often been perceived as a problem, but four miles of benches becomes an undeniable gesture of inclusion and a playful spectacle. The 4-mile bench is simple. Designed using an off-the-shelf system, the bench is assembled quickly from standardized pieces. Maintenance and replacement of parts is easy and low cost. The installation is built on the idea that it would twist and turn to accommodate trees or elements already on Market Street. As such, it could be installed tomorrow without need for major renovation, or it could be rolled out as part of a larger street redesign.
A bench is not just a bench.
A bench is an invitation.
A bench creates connection.
A bench supports community.
A bench makes a statement about who we are.
A bench ignites spontaneous interactions.
A bench brings beauty and identity.
A bench encourages you to linger.
A bench signifies public space is for all.
Our team believes the opportunities and challenges downtown are not just about physical design and require many hands. Also showcased in the exhibit are SITELAB’s other proposals done in collaboration: RECreate Market St. and The Ground Floor Collective. The proposals together showcase a bold, actionable vision for reenergizing San Francisco’s downtown.
RECreate Market St.
Awarded Honorable Mention, this idea was prompted by urbanist Diana Lind’s writing on the Hobby Economy, SITELAB collaborated with Diana Lind, Amy Cohen, and Alex Yuen.
The Ground Floor Collective
In collaboration with longstanding colleague, Andy Wang, SITELAB submitted a proposition for a collective leasing strategy for Market Street.