An Evaluation and Redesign of Philip Johnson’s Tent of Tomorrow Through the Theory of Preservation Potential

Abstract

At the heart of this thesis lies architect Philip Johnson’s modern day ruin, the Tent of Tomorrow, an iconic, abandoned pavilion from New York’s 1964-1965 World’s Fair. Utilizing the Tent of Tomorrow as a case study, this thesis seeks to address both the immediate need for a redesign of the structure and the long-term need for an integrated method of analyzing preservation projects. A method for analyzing the structure spanning multiple disciplines that acknowledges engineering, social, and artistic aspects in the preservation and redesign process was developed. This multi-disciplinary assessment, termed the theory of preservation potential, draws from engineering Professor David Billington’s theory of structural art. Utilizing the theory of preservation potential, an analysis of the Tent of Tomorrow was carried out which produced findings aimed at assisting in the structure’s redesign. These findings were then used to redesign the structure’s roof. It is the hope of the author that future development of the theory of preservation potential leads to a methodical and integrated system that informs how to move forward with any preservation project.