Hall of Science Discovery Terrace

SCAPE teamed with ENNEAD Architects to reimagine the exterior 25,000 square foot public plaza surrounding the iconic and historic Hall of Science in Queens, New York. The Hall of Science was built for the 1964 New York World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows- Corona Park. In its original design, the terrace consisted of hardscape with a water feature, which surrounded three sides of the Great Hall. The new vision and multi-use design employs undulating planters to reflect the signature geometry of the building and strategically carve out spaces for different activities, shaping small educational and gathering opportunities. These planters also provide variable degrees of screening between the spaces as the soil rises and falls, adding visual interest and privacy to the terrace landscape. The planters take advantage of the abandoned fountains below to allow increased soil depth to promote tree and plant health and longevity.