FIGMENT, an arts festival that takes over Governors Island in New York City every summer has announced two winners for its 2015 City of Dreams pavilion competition.

First started in 2007, FIGMENT acts as a forum for the creation and display of participatory and interactive art. Since then, it has grown in size and public support and is now a major art event in cities across the USA over the summer period. This year, the NYC festival will feature a mini golf course, treehouse, two architectural pavilions, and interactive sculptures.

In collaboration with the Emerging New York Architects Committee (ENYA) of the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter (AIANY), and the Structural Engineers Association of New York (SEAoNY), FIGMENT has picked two teams to design pop-up pavilions for their 2015 summer programme.

New York-based BanG Studio’s design ‘Billion Oyster pavilion ’ is one of the winning designs. Its theme taps into local history and the benefits of potential new oyster beds in New York Harbour. The pavilion will be constructed from materials used for oyster fishing, including nylon nets and reef balls. When FIGMENT is over, the structure will be given to the Harbour School and recycled.


Parts of Izaskun Chinchilla Architects pavilion can be reused to provide shade in public places following the festival

The second winning design was created by Izaskun Chinchilla Architects (ICA), which has offices in London and Madrid. ICA’s design is focused on nature, called ‘Organic Growth’, with the pavilion to be made from broken umbrellas, old stools and damaged bicycle wheels. The structure will resemble hydrangea flowers. Once again, an overarching narrative of recycling, reuse and sustainability is apparent.

Both pavilions are currently pending approval and in need of funds. If they go ahead, they are expected to be in situ on Governors Island by June of this year.