Perhaps among the largest constructions of laminated structural glass ever erected, the pavilions curve gently to the ground plane, seeming to slide under the central walkway.
The two glass pavilions are part of a larger project to redesign Dilworth Plaza. The plaza is at the centre of the city of Philadelphia, in front of City Hall, and is a historic nexus of transportation. The pavilions are the two main entryways to the transportation network below.
Each pavilion is an all-glass structure rising from the ground with glass walls up to 18 feet high and a glass roof spanning 17 feet across the entryway. The glass wall panels are composed of five plies of 3/8” heat strengthened glass with Sentry Glass interlayer. The roof panels are composed of seven plies of heat strengthened glass with Sentry Glass interlayer.
The pavilions are supported below ground by steel beams and concrete slabs. The glass walls are captured within a stainless steel shoe and cantilever up from ground level. The roof panels are simply supported on the wall panels.
The design philosophy for the pavilion was to have no metal fitting above ground and join all the glass panels with structural silicone. This pays homage to the structure of the City Hall, which is the tallest all-masonry building in the world.
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Client
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)
Architect
Kieran Timberlake
© Eckersley O’Callaghan 2024
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