Somewhere Studio's 2019 City of Dreams Pavilion now open in Roosevelt Island

Just in time for summer, 2019 City of Dreams pavilion competition winner “Salvage Swings” is now open to the public on Roosevelt Island in New York. Designed by Arkansas-based Somewhere Studio led by Jessica Colangelo and Charles Sharpless, the pavilion is made from cross-laminated timber that was salvaged from shipping palettes of the Stadium Drive Residence Hall construction project on the University of Arkansas Fayetteville campus. The 12 modules of the pavilion frame individual swings and views of the surrounding park and city.

The pavilion was a centerpiece at the FigmentNYC arts festival earlier this month, and will remain at Lighthouse Park through August 2019.

Somewhere Studio shared more details about their winning design below.

“The 7’ by 30’ three-ply spruce palettes were processed and machined at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, where Colangelo and Sharpless are faculty members.

The pavilion consists of 12 repetitive modules that frame individual swings and views of the park and surrounding city. The swings are organized collectively in a triangular form to create a new communal space within the park. The open framework of the pavilion can host a variety of activities including community swinging, picnicking, outdoor concerts, and hide-and-seek games. The swing seats come from the window cut-outs between modules and activate a large-scale peg game for kids. Integrated LED lighting, designed by TM Light, in the swing windows transforms the pavilion at night into a beacon from the banks of the East River in Manhattan and Queens.”

“The project asks how a temporary pavilion design can utilize construction waste and also avoid ending up in the landfill after its initial period of use. The swings are designed to be easily assembled and disassembled with a small group of volunteers. Prefabricated finger joint connections and manageable piece sizes allows for the project to be flat-packed, shipped, and site assembled in a matter of days. The modular design intends to extend the pavilion’s life beyond the summer activities in new places and configurations.”

“Somewhere Studio worked with FIGMENT, ENYA, SEAoNY, the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design and the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation to select the exact site for Salvage Swings, refine the design, obtain necessary approvals, and fabricate and install the pavilion on the island. Somewhere Studio collaborated with Guy Nordenson and Associates for structural engineering and TM Light for lighting design.”