Set within the open expanse of Flatiron Plaza, a pavilion of shifting views invites visitors to look outward in every direction. As people move through the structure, the city is reframed through a series of apertures that capture fragments of architecture, pedestrians, and sky, transforming a familiar site into a place of focused observation and play.

Nova draws inspiration from the traditional gazebo—literally, “I shall gaze”—reimagined as a contemporary urban pavilion. At street level, the installation presents a different character from every side, shaped by a constellation of outward-facing scopes that frame specific moments within the surrounding context. From above, these elements resolve into a seven-pointed star, revealing an organizational logic legible only at a distance.

The structure is composed of lightweight aluminum elements whose strength comes from a cellular system similar to soap bubbles. Each cell acts both as an individual unit and as part of a three-dimensional truss, allowing the pavilion to remain open and lightweight while forming a stable dome at its center. Each scope functions structurally as an arch, tying the system together.

Inside, the aluminum framework is clad with acrylic laminated in 3M dichroic film, while the exterior is finished in mirrored composite panels. Together, these materials transform each scope into a pedestrian-scale kaleidoscope. Reflections fracture and recombine buildings, movement, and light, producing an interior that shifts continuously with time, weather, and activity in the plaza.

Through framing, reflection, and movement, Nova turns Flatiron Plaza into a moment of pause within the city. The pavilion encourages visitors to slow down and rediscover their surroundings through color, geometry, and shifting perception—making the act of looking itself a shared urban experience.

Collaborators: 3M and ARUP
Photos: Alan Tansey

Find out more about the process:
Our original design proposal
Photos of the installation