Our vision was for a integrated architectural system that makes operations more self-sufficient, creating a closed loop where food is grown on a one-acre rooftop farm, prepared onsite, and returned to the soil through regenerative practices. The design brings together a 6.75-acre green roof, a productive farm, and a 15,000-square-foot event pavilion into a single high-performing ecosystem. Architecture, landscape, and operations work in sync to support biodiversity, water retention, food production, and large-scale programming. Every element is purposeful, from the pavilion’s sawtooth profile to shaded gathering areas shaped by wind data. 

WXY served as one of three architectural teams and led the design of the Pavilion and Rooftop Farm, two interlinked structures that brought a new typology to the Javits program. Together, they blur the line between infrastructure and landscape. The Pavilion spans 16,300 square feet and accommodates up to 1,500 seated guests. A 50-foot-wide bi-fold door opens directly onto the 48,800-square-foot farm and outdoor pre-function space, offering views over the Hudson River and inviting the public into a distinctly urban version of a working landscape.

A curved truss system supports the Pavilion’s 90-foot-wide span, using less steel while reducing overall structural weight. North-facing sawtooth skylights bring in diffused light while limiting glare and light pollution. Full-height glazing on the east and west walls complements the solid north-south elevations, allowing the space to shift fluidly from conferences to exhibitions to farm-to-table events.

The greenhouse, used for growing and processing vegetables, is directly connected via lift to both the marshalling yard and adjacent kitchens. The farm is operated by Brooklyn Grange and includes a food forest producing fruit for on-site consumption. The architecture recalls the silhouette of utilitarian agricultural buildings but retools that language for a denser, more public setting while offering visitors a firsthand experience of urban biodiversity.

Working in close collaboration with the convention center’s operations team, the project balances event functionality with agricultural systems, integrating climate-responsive infrastructure across the roof. Wind studies shaped tree placement for shading. Materials were chosen for sustainability, with over 75% of construction waste diverted from landfills and all major components sourced within 500 miles. High recycled content was prioritized throughout the project.

A 300,000-gallon system captures and recycles rainwater for irrigation, reducing potable water demand by 50%. Over 3,000 solar panels are planned, creating Manhattan’s largest rooftop solar farm. Together, these systems reduce resource consumption while reinforcing the Javits Center’s public mission. The Pavilion and Farm also expand the Center’s educational and cultural programming, immersing thousands of annual visitors in an environment where climate performance, design, and city life intersect.