Governor's Cup Pavilion

CDR Studio Architects, PC·New York, United States

2014Concepts · Architecture +Self Initiated ProjectsCommercial

Year: 2014
Category: Concepts · Architecture +Self Initiated Projects
Type: Commercial
Status: Built
Firm: CDR Studio Architects, PC
Location: New York, United States

CDR Studio Architect’s winning submission for the City of Dreams Pavilion design competition is now on display at Governors Island, New York. The five-year annual competition was started by participatory arts organization FIGMENT, the Emerging New York Architects Committee (ENYA) of the American Institute of Architects NY Chapter (AIANY), and the Structural Engineers Association of New York (SEAoNY), who sought to inspire collaboration within New York’s artistic and architecture communities. In building the Governor’s Cup, CDR Studio was able to bring together a robust design team, a troop of 100+ volunteers, and numerous other support to help them bring their vision to reality.

CDR Studio managed to crowd-source over $14,000 to help pay for the pavilion’s construction – a record for this five-year annual competition – and its volunteers were an integral part of the pavilion’s construction. Volunteers met in the CDR studio twice a week, helping to drill holes in the recycled cups, glue them together, and create the modules that would eventually form the serpentine pieces of the pavilion. The result of this far-reaching team work is an innovative pavilion located in one of New York’s most unique public spaces.

Inspired by tape-lace crochet, Governor’s Cup is constructed from approximately 30,000 recycled plastic cups – a nod to the 100 billion cups that cumulate in landfills each years. The wind audibly filters through the cups, which act as a lacy infill that allow light and shadow to playfully interact with the ground. The overall configuration forms a place for gathering, interaction, and performance, a playground for kids and adults. The pavilion is open to the public on the southwest corner of the Parade Ground on Governors Island through September.

Photography by Ashley Simone, John Muggenborg and Kevin Lee for INHABITAT