This Friday, PCA toured The Refinery, that iconic structure glittering on the Williamsburg waterfront. Built in 1856, the Domino Sugar Factory—once the world’s largest sugar refinery and a key part of Brooklyn’s industrialization—is now a masterclass of dramatic, stunning adaptive reuse.
As a refresher, adaptive reuse is the process of repurposing buildings or structures for new uses while retaining their historic features.
Say it with me: The most sustainable building is not a new construction, but an existing one! (Whose purpose and systems might need an upgrade.) Demolishing and constructing new buildings often releases more carbon into the atmosphere than reusing existing materials does. #teamembodiedcarbon
Our favorite fact? Due to the complex's 2007 designation as a historic NYC landmark, the large machinery inside needed to be compressed and then carefully extracted through its tiny arched windows—like an ornate and dangerous game of Operation.
A huge thank you to Jarad Winter of Two Trees Management, who guided us through the space, letting us geek out on panel finishes, explore the use of materials, and draw inspiration.
PCA’s Coffee Walks, an initiative launched in Autumn 2024, aim to build community and continue learning in the larger urban fabric of New York City. We are always striving to learn how to create better, more elegant, and sustainable buildings, and these coffee walks offer a delightful way to do that together and grow as a team.
