HAO's idea proposal to revive Brooklyn's old Domino Sugar Factory into cultural destination

Holm Architecture Office was recently commissioned for an idea proposal to revive the existing buildings of the Domino Sugar Factory in the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. The factory opened in 1856 and was once the sugar processing center of the U.S. before it shut down in 2004. The factory has been empty since then.

HAO's proposal for the Domino Culture Factory combines public and private programming that regenerates the abandoned factory into a cultural and educational destination for local communities and all who visit.

Below are some images HAO sent us.

Project description:

"The proposal for the Domino Culture Factory seeks to promote the regeneration of the existing factory buildings creating a world-class cultural destination combining public and private programming. Sponsored by Williamsburg Independent People, a local community group advocating a program focused on public uses for the site, the proposal offers a counterpoint to the residential-office development currently proposed."

"Divided into two general zones the project encompasses a green energy technology center, educational, community and hotel-driven programming to the south with publicly accessible private museum space, exhibition and theater space to the north."

"The entire site is accessible to the public; buildings are linked together by large green areas and a new waterfront boardwalk and sculpture park."

"A marina along with a planned ferry stop emphasizes the site’s unique waterfront location and creates the first of a series of planned ferry stops that link together a variety of outer borough cultural destinations."

"The buildings are retrofitted with a combination of publicly accessible green roofs and photovoltaic roof panels, which, along with geothermal heating and cooling and the use of wind and wave energy, will help the site achieve a greatly reduced carbon footprint."

"Once complete, the new Domino Culture Factory will offer approximately 700,000 sf of publicly accessible private museum spaces along with a public promenade, outdoor sculpture areas, educational spaces, and affordable housing."

"'With the proposal for the Domino Sugar Factory we wanted to look at alternate programming ideas for the site. Based on models like the Tate Modern and the 798 Art District in Beijing, we explored possibilities that would open up the site and create a vibrant, mixed, cultural destination. We believe that, like those institutions, the Domino Sugar Factory has the potential to become a world-class global cultural destination, attracting millions of visitors every year while creating a sustainable way of revitalizing the Williamsburg neighbourhood.' -- Jens Holm, founder, HAO / Holm Architecture Office."

Diagrams:

Project Data

Name: Domino Culture Factory
Program: Exhibition, Restaurant, Gallery, Promenade, Marina, Education, Community Center, Theater, Hotel and Conference Space, affordable housing
Type: Commissioned Idea Proposal
Size: 149,600 m2 / 1.6 Million sq ft
Client: WIP/Williamsburg Independent People
Location: Brooklyn, NY

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All images courtesy of Holm Architecture Office.