"Galaxon" Center | The Rejected 1964 New York World's Fair Proposal 🛸
Final image shows the built alternative: Philip Johnson's New York State Pavilion. 🌌 "Galaxon" Theme Center | Paul Rudolph, 1960 Proposal Conceived by architect Paul Rudolph for the 1964-65 NY World's Fair (commissioned by Portland Cement Association), this futuristic "flying saucer" was meant to be the fair's iconic centerpiece. Design Concept: • A 100m-wide, 50m-tall tilted bowl hovering over a circular pool • Visitors would ascend via escalators/elevators to an 18-degree angled observation deck • Top platform featured curved walkways for 360° fairground views—like walking on a floating sky path Symbolism: Rudolph aimed to create a new architectural icon (like 1939's Trylon & Perisphere), making "Galaxon" the fair's visual logo and landmark. Why Was It Rejected? Despite its daring vision, Robert Moses (fair president) axed the project. Too radical? Too costly? We'll never know. Would "Galaxon" have become as iconic as the Space Needle? 🤔 Share your thoughts below! 👇 #ArchitecturalHistory #UnbuiltNYC #BrutalistDesign #Futurism #WorldsFair #MidCenturyModern