The Project began as an environmental clean up of an abandoned municipal airport site. Surrounding wetlands were remediated and PCB impacted soils were collected under a permeable geo-textile cap for the location of a new park. As the park’s landscape began to conceptualize, the addition of multi-function pavilions were added to the project. The orientation of the pavilions axes are generated by an alignment with the park’s open lawn to its south and to the view corridor overlooking the wetlands.
The proposed uses for the pavilions are for large community gatherings, performance events, multiple small outdoor classrooms, education areas, passive shaded seating, and as a general sculptural element connecting the park to its history.
The pavilion’s two alternating “bent” painted steel forms with IPE wood louvers are set within a IPE wood deck surrounded by dry laid stone walls. As visitors walk the path circulating the park, the geometry of the pavilion changes to dynamically evoke the historical airport’s images of flight.
The formal dialogue and calibrated placement of the two pavilions create a series of overlapping spaces that facilitate a diverse range of uses. A larger pavilion provides shelter for performances and orients itself towards the lawn to create a dynamic public space for public gatherings. The smaller pavilion provides intimate gathering spaces where education groups and classrooms can meet under shade and within an outdoor room.
Interpretive graphic plaques are incorporated into the pavilion to allow for a self guided narrative of the history of the site. Additionally, the overall composition creates a variety of passive sitting options where families and individuals can relax and enjoy.
To reduce costs and accelerate the construction sequence, modular components of steel, wood and cables with fittings were shop fabricated and field erected. Standard parts were assembled in unique compositions to create an efficient yet innovative structure. The language of detailing and construction methods carry through each scale of the design to fit seamlessly with the site and its solar orientation.
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