Twin Park Pavilions on the Hudson River Balancing Nature and Urban Environment
Two new pavilions have been developed along the Hudson River to provide integrated public spaces that respond to their surrounding environment and address the challenges of flood-prone areas. The design aims to create a continuous spatial experience connecting the parks with the waterfront, balancing built structures with natural landscapes while enhancing circulation and community interaction.
The pavilion’s design emerges as an open material experiment, harmonizing its concrete mass with the riverfront in a balance of solidity and transparency.
Site and Project Type
The first pavilion is located on the western side of the river on a former industrial site, while the second sits in a low-lying area prone to flooding. Both serve as extensions of the public park system, offering walking and cycling paths, recreational spaces, and sports areas, creating a seamless connection between visitors and the natural environment.
The scene illustrates how vegetation interacts with the architectural form, creating a vibrant and fluid public environment connected to the water.
Design Concept and Architectural Approach
- Western Pavilion: Comprising three interconnected volumes under a precisely sculpted concrete canopy, including a concession stand, restrooms, and a service unit. The geometric perforations in the canopy allow natural light to reach the planted rooftops, generating dynamic light patterns that change throughout the day, enhancing the spatial experience.
- Floodplain Pavilion: Positioned at the park's highest point, it incorporates portals and open frames that provide views of the water and surrounding pathways. The perforated steel canopy functions both visually and functionally, allowing climbing plants to grow onto the roof, creating a visual and ecological link between the pavilion and the landscape.
The composition reflects the project’s philosophy of openness and visual flow, where light becomes a dynamic architectural element.
Relationship Between Form and Function
- The design of the canopies and openings mediates between enclosed and open spaces, encouraging circulation and community engagement.
- The pavilions are designed to promote outdoor interaction without relying on large interior spaces.
- The distribution of natural light through the openings enhances visual comfort, creating a dynamic spatial experience for visitors.
The pavilion acts as a visual anchor for community movement, where daily activities intersect in harmony with nature.
Materials, Sustainability, and Environmental Integration
- High-performance concrete is used for the western pavilion, while perforated steel and flood-resistant glass are employed for the floodplain pavilion to ensure structural resilience while maintaining visual connection with the surroundings.
- Planted rooftops and open canopies serve as water management systems, improve air quality, and mitigate heat exposure.
- Elevated windows and doors protect against flooding, while rainwater detention systems support sustainable water management within the park.
- Climbing plants integrate the pavilions with the surrounding green spaces, strengthening the visual and functional relationship between the architecture and nature.
The material details establish a dialogue between light and matter, giving the pavilion a shifting visual presence throughout the day.
Project Summary Table
ElementWestern PavilionFloodplain PavilionLocationWest side of the riverLow-lying flood-prone areaSite Area5.65 acres5.4 acresNumber of Volumes3 volumes2 volumes + community hall + caféMaterialsHigh-performance concretePerforated steel, flood-resistant glassDesign ConceptSculpted canopy for light and dynamic patternsOpen portals and perforated canopy for plant integrationForm-Function RelationshipConnects enclosed and open spaces, guides circulationLinks community activities with park and waterfrontSustainabilityPlanted rooftops, light wells, rainwater managementRainwater detention, rooftop vegetation, flood resilienceEnvironmental IntegrationIntegration with park and river, continuous visual experienceVisual and functional connection with landscape and visitors
At dusk, the pavilion transforms into a soft urban beacon, emphasizing the design’s balance between function and beauty.
✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight
The twin pavilions along the Hudson River offer a cohesive architectural experience, dominated by perforated concrete and steel canopies that channel natural light onto planted rooftops, while interconnected volumes form open pathways framing views of the river and surrounding greenery. Critically, the design approach emphasizes the relationship between enclosed and open spaces, yet the limited interior areas could constrain certain communal functions. Nonetheless, the project successfully enhances visitor interaction with the natural environment, providing a seamless connection between architecture and landscape. Overall, it delivers significant value to public park spaces by harmonizing aesthetic appeal with environmental functionality.
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