Lock 3 Park Pavilion
-
Architecture
Interior Design -
Carbon-Sequestering Materials
Enhanced Site Accessibility
Habitat Restoration
Heat Island Effect Mitigation
Light Pollution Reduction
Low Maintenance Materials
Passive Building Envelope -
Completed May 2025
-
Akron, Ohio
The reimagining of an event space formed by a series of empty lots between Main Street and Lock 3, one of the original locks of the Ohio and Erie Canalway that linked downtown Akron with the rest of the Cuyahoga River Valley.
The Pavilion’s shape and materiality lean into the sinuous curves and topography of the new landscape, creating a symbiotic relationship with the surrounding park while serving as a casual gathering spot and outdoor event venue offering flexibility for year-round programming.
-
The City of Akron engaged OLIN to reimagine Lock 3. This forgotten gem within the urban fabric was reconceived as a public garden and event space that brings universal access to the steep slope adjacent to Main Street. As a partner on the project, archimania was charged with designing the Pavilion to become an all season asset in the park, serving as a casual gathering spot for everyday use while having the ability to quickly pivot to an outdoor event venue that could host everything from a small yoga class to a summer concert series for 5,000. The Pavilion has a symbiotic relationship with the rest of the park seamlessly merging with the park pathways that accessibly navigate the 16 plus feet of elevation change between Main Street and the Canalway towpath.
