Pavilion & Children's Discovery Garden at Sister Cities Park

Sister Cities Sister Cities Pavilion & Discovery Garden builds on the successes of recent renovations at Logan Square and breathes fresh life and activity into a nearly forgotten corner of this great space.  Located across from the renowned Swan Fountain at Logan Square in Center City, Philadelphia, the project consists of a highly transparent park pavilion, cafe and visitor’s center. The pavilion functions in a multitude of settings from private functions to cultural events and community activities.  Support functions are embedded within the landforms that comprise the garden, enabling the pavilion to take full advantage of panoramic city views. 

Inspired by Fairmount Park’s rich geology, the substantial cantilever of the Pavilion’s vegetated roof forms a horizontal shelter that transitions from the monumental vertical scale of the city on one side of the park to the naturalistic landscape and intimate scale of the children’s garden on the other side of the park.

Borrowing from the material palette of Fairmount Park’s historic park pavilions, the design uses warmly colored, natural materials to frame expansive views of the Parkway through the Pavilion’s structurally glazed exterior wall.

The wood ceiling and stone floor extend outward from the building’s interior into the plaza beyond. Skylights penetrate the structure’s massive green roof, bringing direct sunlight into the building.

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