MERIT AWARD

“After being abandoned for twenty years, the renovation into the Brooklyn Academy of Music exemplifies the transformational power of preservation. The modifications restore and effectively enhance the historic character of the spaces while making them more accessible so that more people can experience them more easily.”

The Brooklyn Academy of Music, BAM Strong and Harvey Theater project submitted by Mitchell Giurgola, transforms three adjacent properties on Fulton Street in Downtown Brooklyn into a lively cultural destination for audiences, artists and neighbors. Redevelopment of the Harvey Theater and new construction and renovation of the two adjacent properties provides state-of-the-art infrastructure, theater technology and improvements to the patron experience. The resulting unified complex is a key feature of the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s Downtown Brooklyn Cultural District Development Plan.

BAM Strong gives new life to the former Majestic, a 120-year-old burlesque house that became a movie house in the 1940’s, gradually falling into decay. The theater was rediscovered in the 1980’s by BAM’s then-president Harvey Lichtenstein, and on a very tight budget, was converted to a contemporary thrust stage configuration, opening in 1987. This renovation intentionally left the performance space and lobby with a distressed appearance that became a unique and beloved characteristic. Phased over 10 years to conform to BAM’s active programming schedule and City funding, the first phase included re-raking the 850-seat orchestra and balcony areas to improve sight lines, provide code compliant row-to-row dimensions, new seats, and vomitories to meet egress requirements. Also included are 3D cinema, surround sound and variable acoustics. Subsequent phases included renovations to the public spaces, expanded lobby and customer services, a patrons lounge, an art gallery, café, and retail space. The complex is ADA compliant, including an elevator. An artful restoration of the original aging façade and a distinctive 180-foot-long marquee to unify the three properties and give the theater a visible presence consistent with its importance to the cultural life of the district.

The Nanotronics Smart Factory is a 44,000 sf flagship production center that converts a 150-year-old Civil War era shipbuilding warehouse in the Brooklyn Navy Yard into an advanced manufacturing facility and headquarters. The project, submitted by Rogers Partners Architects and Urban Designers, brings together research, design, prototyping, and fabrication under one roof.

Originally constructed by the Department of the Navy to facilitate the armor plating of wooden ships, the building’s shell remains intact. Enclosed, yet transparent, “pods” are stacked on two floors with double-height public spaces nestled in between, resolving the challenge of creating enclosed workspaces—some need to be airtight, soundproof, and climate-controlled—without cutting up the building, impeding the flow, or compromising the beauty of the long, narrow building. The Pods were constructed of wood, cross laminated timber, to expedite construction. The wood surfaces were left exposed with blackened steel railings, harkening back to the steel plated boats that once occupied the building.

The goal was to create a blueprint for urban manufacturing; proving that cities with skilled workforces and legacy infrastructure are perfect for the next wave of industrial advancement. More specific goals were to vertically integrate the process from concept through final production that fostered interaction and communication among all team members, from PhD scientist to CNC mill operator. The project was to reveal the process and make sure a visitor understood that “things are made here.”

The adaptive re-use of infrastructure greatly reduces the carbon footprint of the City’s first “smart factory.”

The new facility is on track to create 110 new local jobs and offers a training pipeline-hosting programs in partnership with CUNY and Medgar Evers College so that New Yorkers can obtain and retain those positions.

ADAPTIVE REUSE, HISTORIC PRESERVATION NANOTRONICS

Smart Factory

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

SUBMITTED BY: ROGERS PARTNERS ARCHITECTS + URBAN DESIGNERS