Help make BanG’s Billion Oyster Pavilion for Governors Island a reality

Late last year, I had the pleasure of being on the jury for the 2015<a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/the-figment-festival-brings-a-creative-recycled-art-world-to-governors-island/" target="_blank"> FIGMENT </a>City of Dreams Pavilion Competition, and <a href="http://b-an-g.com" target="_blank"> BanG Studio</a>’s Billion Oyster Pavilion was one design that captivated me from the start. The beautiful structure tied for first place with <a href="http://izaskunchinchilla.es/">Izaskun Chinchilla Architects'</a> Organic Growth pavilion, and was chosen to host events and performances on Governors Island this summer. When the season ends, it will be recycled into <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/harbor-school-students-growing-oyster-reefs-as-a-way-to-protect-nyc-from-storm-surges/" target="_blank">oyster-raising materials for the New York Harbor School</a>. But first, BanG needs your help to make the project a reality, so hop over to <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1386914221/billion-oyster-pavilion" target="_blank">their Kickstarter page</a> and get pledging!

Each year, the City of Dreams Pavilion provides a temporary architectural structure for visitors to Governors Island to enjoy, which then must be recycled after the season is over.

Rather than just designing a structure from recycled and recyclable materials, BanG’s entry was site specific to the island itself. The New York Harbor School, located on Governors Island, teaches youths the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/120-tons-of-oyster-shells-dumped-into-the-bronx-river-as-base-for-new-mollusk-population/" target="_blank">benefits of raising oysters</a> in the New York waters, from their nature cleansing properties to aiding in storm surge.

What’s so great about the Billion Oyster Pavilion is that its presence and use on the island may be temporary, but the materials used to build it will permanently benefit both Governors Island and the waters of New York.

After a summer of music, family play, and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/city-of-dreams-pavilion-made-of-thousands-of-discarded-cups-coming-to-governors-island-this-summer/" target="_blank">picnicking beneath the pavilion</a>, it will be disassembled, then rebuilt by the Harbor School as an oyster habitat.

The materials won’t even have to be boated back to Manhattan or Brooklyn, just simply towed over to the school on-site.

By supporting BanG’s Billion Oyster Pavilion, you’re also supporting fresh, clean water in New York City- as well as a great public project you can enjoy all summer long.