BanG studio's billion oyster pavilion includes 'condos' for marine life

BanG studio’s billion oyster pavilion includes ‘condos’ for marine life
all images courtesy of BanG studio

throughout summer 2015, new york governor’s island will host the ‘billion oyster pavilion‘, a habitat restoration structure and architectural landmark designed by BanG studio. the project brings together figment’s city of dreams and the new york harbor school’s billion oyster project (BOP).

constructing the concrete ‘reef blocks’ at the base of the structure

following its presentation on the island as a social and information space at the end of the summer, the pavilion will be reused by the harbor school in their work to introduce one billion oysters into new york’s waterways by 2030. the materials that form the woven canopy — comprising steel rebar, nylon rope, and hose clamps — will be used by the BOP in their harbor restoration work. ‘it is our intention to work with the BOP to facilitate this effort. by re-using materials on the island, we eliminate the need to transport them a second time’, BanG studio team describe.

building up the canopy at the installation on new york’s govenor’s island

the steel triangles in the canopy will be made into ‘oyster condos’ which will be filled with recycled oyster shells. the canopy is made of assembled clusters of rebar triangles, connected together with plastic ties to create a structural network similar to a dome. the concrete ‘reef blocks’ at the base of the structure and the filled habitation spaces will be covered in ‘oyster spat’ and introduced into the harbor to form new reefs. in addition to providing material, the pavilion will also bring awareness to the billion oyster project, providing the public the opportunity to see this technology and to learn about its uses.

work-in-progress