An eco-conscious pavilion made of scaffolding and moss could bloom in Times Square

New York City has 280 miles of scaffolding, totaling more than 7,700 sidewalk sheds in front of 7,752 buildings. Described as pervasive eyesores and sunlight-blockers, scaffolding has an unflattering reputation in the city. Artist Sam Biroscak is looking to change the public perception of these sidewalk sheds, by highlighting it as an “under-appreciated” urban element in his conceptual design. Dubbed Mossgrove, Biroscak’s project would create an architectural pavilion in Times Square made of two materials seen as nuisances: moss and scaffolding. The proposal calls for the installation be built during NYCxDESIGN, a nine-day event featuring interactive installations and talks. The theme of this year’s Design Pavilion will be “From This Day Forward” (h/t Untapped Cities).

According to the designer, the moss-filled pavilion would be accessible from any angle, enveloping pedestrians in steel and moss, but letting them easily pop in and out. The posts would be made of dense materials, blocking out some of the Times Square noise. They would sit close together, creating intimate spaces within the pavilion. As the rendering shows, performances could be held inside and a piano would remain there permanently.

Mossgrove seeks to highlight moss and scaffolding, elevating them from material-outsiders to front-and-center design elements.

Biroscak started a Kickstarter to raise money for his project, which is being funded entirely by donors. As of Friday, over $12,000 of the $70,000 goal has been pledged ahead of next week’s deadline.

“We’re hoping that Mossgrove introduces a green element of unexpected whimsy to the hustle and concrete of Times Square,” Biroscak said in a video posted on his Kickstarter. “And in the process, allow people to see these two under-appreciated elements, and maybe the city around them, in a new light.”

As part of NYCxDESIGN, the Design Pavilion returns to Times Square, between West 42nd and 47th Street, from May 12 to May 20. About three million local and international visitors will visit the various performances, talks installations. Learn more about the free event here.

[Via Untapped Cities]

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All renderings via Sam Biroscak/ Design Pavilion 2018