Although plans to redevelop the long-abandoned Domino Sugar Factory into large residential buildings were announced back in March, construction has yet to begin as the city continues to look at the project. Now Holm Architecture Office has proposed an alternative design that would turn the area into a large public and private epicenter for Williamsburg called the Domino Culture Factory. The project includes amenities such as a green energy technology center, education, community and hotel-driven programming, museums and exhibition and theater space.
The Williamsburg Independent People, a local community group, commissioned HAO to develop a design that would serve as a counterpoint to the Two Trees Management Company’s proposed residential-office development. The alternative design features a large site spanning five city blocks that would be entirely accessible to the public with green areas and a new waterfront boardwalk and sculpture park to connect all of the buildings. There would also be a marina planted with ferry stops along the way to link with a variety of outer-borough cultural destinations that emphasize the site’s unique waterfront location.
HAO’s proposal would also retrofit the buildings with a combination of green technologies including green roofs, photovoltaic panels, geothermal heating and cooling, as well as the use of wind and wave energy. Once completed, the Domino Culture Factory would offer the Williamsburg neighborhood 700,000 square feet of museum space along with a public promenade, outdoor sculpture areas, educational spaces, and affordable housing.
Compared to the Two Trees plan, the Domino Culture Factory would modernize a series of building to maintain the site’s original look and height, rather than redevelop the area for “taller and better” towers.
Which project do you think is better? Two Trees’ towers or HAO’s Domino Culture Factory? Tell us below in the comments.
Images © Holm Architecture Office
