KlimaKover Pavilion: Climate Adaptation Prototype in New York City
As global temperatures rise and cities look to mitigate urban heat islands, Weitzman School of Design Assistant Professor Dorit Aviv‘s research is transforming how we stay cool outdoors. Aviv helms the Thermal Architecture Lab, which recently unveiled the KlimaKover Pavilion on New York’s Governors Island, a prototype radiant-cooling system that uses 70 percent less energy than traditional air conditioning. The pavilion was designed in collaboration with international design firm Henning Larsen and AIL Research.
The KlimaKover Pavilion utilizes membrane-assisted radiant-cooling technology, first introduced in 2018 by an international team of researchers from research institutions in the U.S., Canada, and Singapore, and included Aviv, and Eric Teitelbaum, the thermal engineer of Klimakover, among others. The solar-powered system of the pavilion circulates chilled water through small tubes embedded inside insulated panels, uses no outside water, and does not create condensation. The structure consists of modular 4-foot-by-4-foot low-carbon wood panels, allowing it to be easily built and deconstructed.
“This pavilion demonstrates a scalable cooling shelter,” Aviv says, “which can educate people—especially policymakers—about the future of urban cooling.” The pavilion’s open-air design allows for natural ventilation, minimizing outdoor heat stress when combined with shade and ensuring construction costs remain low. (Photo of KlimaKover panels by Chris Perez).
Aviv’s work on urban cooling shelters, including this recent installation and a previous pilot for a cooled bus shelter tested with the Hunting Park community in North Philadelphia, demonstrate the climate adaptation efforts happening on Penn’s campus, showing how research translates into real-world solutions for cities facing rising temperatures.
The KlimaKover Pavilion was open to the public on Governors Island through October 2025. Read the full story on the Weitzman School of Design website and register to attend Professor Aviv’s Penn Climate Seminar on Wednesday, November 12.
