KlimaKover is a low-energy pavilion for cooling public space without air conditioning units designed by Henning Larsen alongside University of Pennsylvania’s Thermal Architecture Lab, AIL Research and Ramboll
KlimaKover is an ambitious pavilion that offers relief from rising urban heat without relying on traditional air-conditioning. Situated on Governors Island, the modular structure comprises 4′×4′ radiant panels that circulate chilled water through micro-tubes, designed to pull heat directly from the body. A transparent, infrared-transparent membrane prevents condensation, while fabric shading, solar orientation, and natural ventilation work together to provide cooling. The system operates wholly on solar power, uses up-cycled “Carbon Smart Wood” for its frame, and is designed for disassembly—allowing relocation or reuse in different settings.
Tests show a perceptible cooling effect in just 5‒7 minutes, becoming more pronounced by 20 minutes of exposure. KlimaKover reportedly uses 10 times less energy than conventional airconditioning units for equivalent comfort in similar outdoor conditions.
Designed not as a one-off but as a prototype for scaling, the pavilion will stay open through November 2025. In 2026, it travels across New York City to test adaptability in diverse public spaces—schoolyards, bus stops, vendor stalls—demonstrating a hopeful paradigm: cooling public life sustainably and accessibly.
