Mural Arts Philadelphia, continues to find new and innovative ways to highlight and celebrate local art and artists. In their newest project, Mural Arts Philadelphia is collaborating with Bartram’s Garden to bring a new floating art installation designed by renowned artist J. Meejin Yoon and Höweler + Yoon Architectureto the banks of the Schuylkill River.
With construction to begin in Fall 2024, the 75-foot-wide floating structure will “blend art and engineering to become both a permanent river access point and art piece on the Tidal Schuylkill River at Bartram’s Garden in Southwest Philadelphia. FloatLab will become a vibrant hub for community engagement, environmental education, and personal reflection upon its public opening, projected for 2026. This unique structure will draw individuals and groups to the river, offering a space to learn, reflect, and find inspiration,” Mural Arts states.
“FloatLab will be a revolutionary platform that redefines how our community interacts with the Schuylkill River,” stated Jane Golden, Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia. “But it’s more than just a piece of art; it’s going to be a space where people can connect with the water and each other. By offering new perspectives and fostering a deeper connection with our ecosystem it will serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of accessible public art and environmental stewardship. This project will bring people together, inspire creativity, and provide invaluable educational opportunities for all Philadelphians.”
“Bartram’s Garden is many things to many people, so it’s only fitting a participatory public art project like FloatLab be here along the riverfront to be many things to our community,” stated Maitreyi Roy, Executive Director of Bartram’s Garden. “This installation is not just an art piece but a vital community resource where people of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. This project is the result of many years in the making. We look forward to breaking ground on this project in the coming weeks.”
Designed and brought to life by artist J. Meejin Yoon in collaboration with Höweler + Yoon Architecture, FloatLab’s circular design offers a truly unique experience by providing a 360-degree view of the river and its surroundings. This intentional design choice allows visitors to take in both the residential and industrial landscapes of Southwest Philadelphia, offering a rare opportunity to witness the intersection of urban and natural environments. As you walk around the structure, you’re not just observing the river; you’re immersed in a full panorama where the city’s history and nature intertwine. At the center of the circle lies a special pool, framing the river like a giant looking glass, inviting you to examine it from an entirely new perspective. This design goes beyond aesthetics, encouraging us to rethink our relationship with the environment and how we engage with our natural surroundings. FloatLab will serve multiple purposes, including a classroom, stage, gallery, fishing spot, and kayak launch.
“FloatLab is a convergence of art, architecture, and nature,” stated artist J. Meejin Yoon. “This project is about creating moments of wonder and connection where the everyday experience of the river becomes extraordinary. Mural Arts and Bartram’s Garden have been wonderful stewards of this work, allowing it to be a canvas for community expression, a laboratory for ecological exploration, and a gateway to a deeper understanding of our urban waterways.”
Yoon is the co-founding principal of Höweler + Yoon Architecture, a multidisciplinary architecture and design studio that has garnered international recognition for a wide range of built work. Her design work and research investigate the intersections between architecture, technology, and public space. Yoon’s work has been widely exhibited both nationally and internationally at venues such as MoMA, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, the Vitra Design Museum, and the National Art Center in Japan, among others. Yoon has received the US Artist Award in Architecture and Design (2008), the Rome Prize in Design (2005), and the World Cultural Council Leonardo da Vinci World Award of Arts (2022). In 2021, Yoon was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
FloatLab furthers Mural Arts and Bartram’s Garden’s commitment to safe and equitable river access, particularly for communities like Southwest Philadelphia, where residents have faced generations of environmental injustice. By providing a secure platform, FloatLab allows visitors to connect with the river’s health, reviewed closely with the Army Corps of Engineers and the City to ensure the installation doesn’t disrupt local ecosystems, including fish, turtles, and other aquatic life. Open for free public access, FloatLab will also host various free and low-cost programs, from fishing and boating to art workshops, while serving as a venue for educational performances, exhibitions, and community engagement.
Overseen by Urban Engineers, construction of FloatLab will commence in Fall 2024, with the installation of mooring piles and a new access pier in the river at Bartram’s Garden by Commerce Construction. The launch of the project will include a public celebration at Bartram’s Garden on Sunday, October 20, as part of Mural Arts Month and the annual Bartram’s Garden Harvest Fest: visitors will be able to enjoy many of the activities that will soon be possible on FloatLab, including fishing and arts.
Simultaneously, FloatLab’s central circular structure will be fabricated in North Carolina by East Coast Steel Fabrication. The completed structure will be transported and installed in Southwest Philadelphia in late 2025, with a grand opening celebration planned for Summer 2026.
The project is supported by significant funding from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, the William Penn Foundation, the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the City of Philadelphia, among others.
