Harlem Meer Davis Center
Architecture for everyone in the green heart of New York
Set within the world-renowned Central Park, the new Davis Center at the Harlem Meer invites visitors to connect, move, and enjoy. Surrounded by trees, water, and wide-open views, the building offers space for recreation, exercise, and community life. In summer, the center houses a modern swimming pool; in winter, it transforms into an ice rink, complemented year-round by a multi-use turf field and a wide range of cultural and recreational activities for all ages. With its organic architecture that gently follows the terrain, the building radiates openness and approachability. Inside and out, the Davis Center seamlessly unites architecture, nature, and public space.
ARCHITECT
PHOTOGRAPHER
Richard Barnes
PARTNER
PRODUCT
- minimal windows® as a connecting element
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A central element in the design is the continuous façade system made up of 23 pivoting doors arranged in a segmented arc. This geometry gives rise to a subtly convex façade that stretches across an impressive 34.5 meters. Standing 4.3 meters tall and equipped with concealed locking mechanisms, these elements create fully transparent transitions between interior and exterior—both functionally and visually. The subtle design of the minimal windows® system reinforces the overall lightness of the architecture and brings light, landscape, and movement into the building. At the same time, the large-scale glazing meets high technical demands—including wind load resistance and solar protection. A project that proves how architecture can create openness in the heart of the city.
