The winners have been announced in an ideas competition to propose a new life for Philip Johnson’s famous New York State Pavilion in Queens.
The iconic structure – which includes two observation towers and a large elliptical Tent of Tomorrow – was built at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park for the 1964-65 World Fair. However, in the last few decades it has fallen into disrepair. Despite this, the pavilion remains a significant landmark due to appearances in films such as
Men in Black and
Iron Man 2.
In recent years a campaign to revive the site has gathered momentum. In March 2016 The National Trust for Historic Preservation and non-profit group People for the Pavilion launched an international contest to explore how it might be revived.
The winning proposal, by architects Aidan Doyle and Sarah Wan, envisions a repurposed pavilion that would create a verdant forest in the sky. Called Hanging Meadows, the structure would house plants from the northeastern regions of the US under a huge glass dome with walkways running through. A planetarium and classroom space would be found below the garden.
The other second and third-placed entries imagined the structure as a civic hub and ‘cultural marketplace’ respectively. The winners – which were determined by a jury of design, architectural and community planning experts – will receive cash prizes.
“As it did in its heyday, this structure lights up people’s imaginations and encourages us all to dream big,” said Stephanie K. Meeks, president and CEO of the trust. “We’re thrilled with the wide array of ideas that we received, and look forward to how they may inspire the future of this iconic site and ensure it can be enjoyed for years to come.”
Salmaan Khan, co-founder of People for the Pavilion, added: “We hope these creative and exciting ideas will spark further dialogue about how this historic structure can serve the communities of Queens.”
In addition to the main competition, eight on-the-ground events were held in neighbourhoods throughout the borough to garner local support for the project. Residents connected with artists and designers to submit their own designs to the competition.
A companion exhibition of the best entries will be held at the Queens Museum until 28 August.
