Street Pavilions
Multipurpose Community Centers

MINNESOTA IDEA OPEN
Evan D Hall, Mitch R Hein
February 13, 2013

The Street Pavilion is a highly visible space located in the heart of Saint Paul. This space will serve as a node for activities in all seasons including winter and summer festivals, ice-skating, art fairs, concerts and exhibitions. Events will be decided by public voting, and individuals or groups can reserve the space. This structure will facilitate a new method for people to meet, learn and feel welcome in the city.

The ideal place for this Pavilion would be in a highly visible place such as Landmark Plaza. Additional pavilion sized community centers may be placed strategically throughout downtown Saint Paul to nurture increased urban interactions. Street Pavilions will become a new paradigm for people to gather together within the streets of Saint Paul.

Inside the pavilion, people can enjoy different activities depending on the time, day, and season. The structure will be simple enough to fit within a budget of one million dollars, and will provide a flexible, open floor plan. In the early morning, people may do group exercises and yoga. For lunch, a group of school children may conduct a class on the history of the city. In the afternoon, the space may serve as a lounge and cafe overlooking the busy street. In the evening, a small concert may play a public performance. All activity is determined in advance by the public and will be free to all to attend.

The backdrop of this activity is a thin, lightweight structure made out of reflective aluminum, steel, and glass. Designed by Minnesota's best architects and engineers, Street Pavilion will have a highly reflective wall to reflect the urban landscapes and interactions often overlooked in downtown Saint Paul. The structure’s transparent walls will allow social activity to flow out into the streets. The most efficient and advanced green technology will be used to heat, cool, and insulate this space.

MINNESOTA IDEA OPEN