New Domino Complex Will Be Built to Weather Storms

The new SHoP design for the Domino complex is not only ambitious in its community programming and architectural vision, it will also be specially constructed to withstand hurricanes and flooding. In fact, its clever flood-resistant design could serve as a model for other waterfront developments in the future. As a first defense, the buildings will be set back 150 feet from the waterfront rather than only 50 feet as originally planned, reported The New York Post. Parks and greenspace will take up the riverfront area. “The new parkland will use little pavement and ‘act as a sponge’ for heavy rains,” said the Post. In addition, the front entrances will be raised an additional three feet by adding stairs and moving the project more uphill. This will put the doors above the new flood plain heights recently established by the Feds following Sandy. Cul-de-sacs between buildings have been scratched, which will not only make the river more accessible but also decrease flooding from storm runoff. Sloping streets will allow storm water to flow right into the river. And as you might expect, building mechanicals will be located at least two stories above ground. “This project will prove that we can continue to do waterfront development in the city and not have to run from the water,” said SHoP Architects Principal Vishaan Chakrabarti. And speaking of architectural vision, by the way, did you see that architectural critic Paul Goldberger — formerly of the New Yorker, now at Vanity Fair — weighed in on the new design?
Developer: New Domino Project Could Weather Another Sandy [NY Post]
The Brooklyn Waterfront Gets a Radical—and Terrific—Re-Design [Vanity Fair]
Rendering by SHoP