Local architecture studio Practice for Architecture and Urbanism installs a new glass office building that is defined by its vaulted roof inside the shell of the Domino Sugar Refinery, which was originally built in the 19th century along the Brooklyn waterfront. The 12-story building is dubbed the Refinery and once functioned as an industrial factory and is now a modern office.
Speaking about the design, the studio's principal Ruchika Modi tells Dezeen "We're not shortchanging today for some nostalgia. What was really important was this idea of palimpsest and embracing what was on the site without becoming slavish to history [...] There was no building to adapt. And if we were to just go in and fill in the missing floors, it would lead to a really weird, idiosyncratic, completely bizarre, you know, interior configuration."
Image Credit: Two Trees Management
What's Driving This Trend
- Vaulted Glass Structures
- The installation of vaulted glass structures in existing buildings is a unique architectural trend that combines historical elements with modern design.
- Adaptive Reuse
- The refurbishment of old industrial buildings into contemporary office spaces offers unique opportunities for adaptive reuse, blending the past with the present.
- Palimpsest Design
- The concept of palimpsest design, where new structures embrace and incorporate the existing features of a site, presents innovative possibilities for architectural projects.
Who This Affects Most
- Architecture
- The field of architecture can explore new avenues by incorporating vaulted glass structures and palimpsest design principles in their projects.
- Real Estate
- The real estate industry can take advantage of adaptive reuse projects to transform old industrial spaces into unique and attractive office spaces.
- Historical Preservation
- The practice of historical preservation can benefit from innovative approaches, such as vaulted glass structure additions, to revitalize and breathe new life into old buildings.
