New York State Pavilion Tent of Tomorrow
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, NY
Original architect
Philip Johnson and Richard Foster Architects
(completed 1964)
Building owner
City of New York Department of Parks & Recreation
In collaboration with
Building description
The New York State Pavilion, designed by Philip Johnson and Richard
Foster Architects, was commissioned by the World's Fair Commission for
the 1964-65 World's Fair in New York City (Queens). It is one of a few
structures from the Fair that remains standing today. The Pavilion
consists of three main components, the largest being the Tent of
Tomorrow: an elliptical plaza measuring 350 feet by 250 feet. This
space is surrounded by 16 concrete columns, each approximately one
hundred feet high) which once held up a colorful canopy covering the
plaza. This canopy protected the public and the terrazzo mosaic map
of the state of New York that decorates the floor, also designed by
Philip Johnson. The Tent of Tomorrow, along with the other structures
of the Pavilion, were intended as temporary structures but were never
demolished and are now candidates for landmark status.
Scope of work
- Performed a conditions survey of the steel structural elements, cables and cable terminations and perimeter concrete columns.
- Provided graphical and video documentation of existing conditions, including video hyperlinked to AutoCAD drawings.
- Provided access for owner's representatives and consultant team to view existing conditions using aerial platform.