The New York State Pavilion Ideas Competition has announced the five winners of its program, launched in March, where designers were asked to reimagine Philip Johnson's New York State Pavilion in Queens, N.Y. The competition was organized by The National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) in collaboration with People for the Pavilion. After receiving over 250 submissions from around the world, first, second, and third place winners have been named along with a Queens winner—a category that celebrates the large number of submissions by local residents—chosen by the competition team, and a Fan Favorite voted by the public. The Queens Museum in New York is featuring the top entries in the exhibit "Pavilion Futures" until Aug. 28.
Originally dubbed the "Tent of Tomorrow" at the 1964 New York World's Fair, preservationists at the 50th anniversary celebration of Johnson's pavilion in 2014—which allowed hundreds of selected visitors to tour the pavilion for the first time in 27 years—spotted visible cracks and rust throughout the structure. Consequently, as part of a renewal effort, the NTHP named the building a National Treasure that same year, a move that led to the creation of this competition.
First, second and third place winners were picked by a panel of judges comprised of founding partner of New York–based architecture and design firm Deborah Berke Partners Deborah Berke, FAIA; vice president of programs and community engagement for New York–based non-profit organization Friends of the High Line Gonzalo Casals; commissioner of the New York City Department of Buildings Rick Chandler; New York City Council member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland; co-founder of New York–based Hibridos Collective, an interdisciplinary collaborative working to reenvision spaces through community-based arts practice, Beatriz Gil; contributing editor at Vanity Fair Paul Goldberger, Hon. AIA; executive and artistic director of Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts at historic Flushing Town Hall in Queens, N.Y., Ellen Kodadek; director of organizing and community development for the Queens Community House in Queens, N.Y., Anna Dioguardi Moyano; former board member of the New York–based volunteer organization Jackson Heights Green Alliance Anthony Ng, AIA; president and executive director of the Queens Museum Laura Raicovich; managing director of Queens Theatre Taryn Sacramone; and executive director of non-profit organization Docomomo US Liz Waytkus.
First Place
"Hanging Meadows" by Aidan Doyle and Sarah Wan
The design repurposes the original structure to transform Johnson's pavilion into a suspended natural environment that focuses on environmental education. The project includes a planetarium and classrooms. Flora native to the Northeastern US will be collected, organized, and exhibited in the structure.
Second Place
"Civic Hub" by Javier Salinas
This proposal creates a mixed-use community development that provides space for literacy programs, resource centers, art programs and studios, and senior fitness programs. "Civic Hub" takes advantage of the open areas and multiple levels of the standing pavilion by balancing room for the public, vendors, and events.
Third Place
"Pavilion for the Community" by Rishi Kejrewal and Shaurya Sharma
The concept imagines the pavilion as a meeting space that unites the cultures of the local community with a raised market platform. Sustainability is accounted for with translucent solar panels and a rainwater harvesting system.
Queens Winner
"Pavilion Park" by Cesar Juarez and Alida Rose Delaney
This project maintains the pavilion's original framework, and repurposes the ceiling to create a web-like structure. The walls were removed to create a fluid transition from the surrounding area to the inner park.
Fan Favorite Winner
"Tent of the Future" by Houiji Ramzi, Saint Etienne
The fan favorite opens up the pavilion, and mixes sustainable practices with leisurely activities. The design encourages using the space for fitness and cultural or professional events.
