Cohen Ice Skating Rink & Fountain

Stamford, CT

This open-air ice rink, fountain and park building complex was designed for the heart of the 28-acre Mill River Park located in City of Stamford, CT, at the lower reaches of Rippowam River. 

The program of the building included a restaurant, skate rental, multiple event spaces, and storage. The team’s vision was to create a fun, inviting building with maximum revenue generating capabilities and minimized energy usage and maintenance costs. With larger programs required on the ground level, it was natural to elongate the building with multiple outdoor steps and landings to reach the observation deck, which will also serve as a rentable event space. The building provided various experiences and perspectives of the overall park. 

During winter, heat generated from ice making was to heat the building. During summer, snow-melt system on the roof will be reversed to harvest the heat from the roof to provide hot water for the restaurant. The fountain water would become a heat sink for the roof. The outdoor skating center will bring back the traditions of skating on Mill Pond that once existed in Stamford. The goal of the interactive fountain was to activate the center of the park during warm months, delighting visitors of all ages. 

The ice rink and foundation opened to public in fall of 2018.  

The project received the 2018 Connecticut Building Congress Project Team Award.