Pavarini McGovern served as the project manager for the $16 million wondrous SeaGlass carousel, developed by The Battery Conservancy.
project
The Battery SeaGlass Carousel
It is an aquatic-themed ride for the millions of tourists and New Yorkers who visit Battery Park. It was inspired by The Battery’s historic role as the home to New York’s first aquarium.
Pavarini McGovern was selected for our experience with erecting high-end glass-enclosed structures that are just as much works of art as they are buildings. The 2,575sf pavilion structure consists of 67 individually sized, illuminated glass panels lit to simulate an underwater experience.
WXY architects designed the carousel interior to reflect The Battery’s rich history and be a light source for the previously darkened landscape. The SeaGlass carousel created an an underwater garden, with giant fish inside that shimmer with electric bioluminescence. The dart and pause, skim and school within a nautilus shell of stainless steel and glass, set in the Battery Bosque.
The SeaGlass carousel consists of a 46ft wide spiraled turntable that rotates in three-dimensions, housed in a steel and glass enclosure. The spiraling pavilion of glass and steel brings art, architecture, and music to children of all ages. The show’s underwater atmosphere is created through LED color-changing lighting combined with “water effect” light projectors hung from a custom-designed helical light ring. There are 30 giant fish in all, ranging from the 11ft Siamese fighting fish to a 14ft-high translucent angelfish.
To keep the park open throughout the construction phase, PMG minimized the amount of laydown space for construction materials and utilized just one construction entrance and exit. Our team worked closely with the MTA to ensure that subway service was not interrupted and that foundation work—a mere 10 feet from an active line—did not affect subway access or operation.
Architect
Urban Design, WXY architects
Client
The Battery Conservancy
Owner
City of New York Parks & Recreation
Location
Battery Park New York, NY
SF
2,575sf
Architect
WXY architects; Urban Design
Contract
GC
Awards
2012 Society for Marketing Professional Services Industry Award for making a positive impact on the built environment
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