Mill River Park Carousel Pavilion
Mill River Park Carousel Pavilion
Gray Organschi Architecture
ARCHITECTS
Gray Organschi Architecture
AREA
3000 sqft - 5000 sqft
YEAR
2017
LOCATION
Stamford, CT, United States
TYPE
Cultural › Pavilion
Through an open ideas competition, we were awarded a commission to design a threshold between a restored riverbank and an urban edge in the city of Stamford, Connecticut.
Completed in 2017, the 4,900 square foot carousel pavilion is an integral part of this larger scheme.
Situated to the north of the park, along a major downtown street, the pavilion stands as a gateway to the rest of the park and the riverbank.
The carousel pavilion is also an attraction in its own right, featuring a historic carousel dramatically lit by a dynamic wood cupola integrated into the ceiling above.
Evoking the topography of the Mill River as it meanders through Stamford, this cupola was first modeled as topographical contours and subsequently prefabricated for accurate and expedient assembly on site.
In a more direct connection to the landscape, a series of pivoting panels on the pavilion’s perimeter open toward the riverside, framing views for the whirling carousel riders within.
Wrapped discretely in translucent polycarbonate panels on an engineered lumber frame, the carousel pavilion subtly grounds the rest of the park, offering up a convenient gathering space for residents, and in the evenings, transforms into a luminous beacon at the head of the river walk.
