The Conference House Pavilion aims to reflect the site’s rich history through a multifunctional outdoor community space facing the expansive views of Raritan Bay. Located at Ward’s Point, the 4,500 sq ft. The Pavilion complements the 17th-century Conference House. Both structures are part of Conference House Park, a National Park named after the Staten Island Peace Conference during the American Revolutionary War.
Replacing a deteriorated and largely demolished neo-Victorian-style Pavilion, the project salvages the existing pile structure while elevating the deck eight feet to achieve a new Design Flood Elevation. This cost-effective and sustainable approach mitigated site disturbance.
Evoking a garden pergola, the Pavilion’s column-supported canopy frames the surrounding views. Re-using and extending existing piles and introducing new pile caps to reach the current Design Flood Elevation, the recycled plastic decking is supported by heavy timber joists. Glue-laminated Alaskan Yellow Cedar roof rafters shape the undulating canopy. Spanning the gaps between members, a translucent resin panel modulates the sunlight and supports a robust stormwater management system.
The Pavilion provides a sheltered open-air space for community gatherings. Its modest yet graceful design allows direct access to the landscape and harbor view without overshadowing the historic setting. It provides an accessible vantage point directly at the waterfront for all to enjoy
The Conference House Park Pavilion was designed as part of Mayor Bloomberg’s Design Excellence Initiative, which allowed smaller design firms to engage in the public discourse and challenge the expectations for making great public architecture.
It was honored with the AIA New York State Design Awards, an Excelsior Award Citation, and the Architect’s Newspaper Best Design Awards’ Honorable Mention.
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