The Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron was commissioned to restore the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Power Station, built in 1904, and transform it into an art manufacturing hub. In the 1950s, half the original structure – the Boiler House – was demolished. The Turbine Hall was left standing. Late in the 20th century, the remaining structure became a destination for local graffiti artists, and it was nicknamed ‘The Batcave.’ The 16,000-square-meter project has now formed workshops for creating art with wood, metal, ceramic, textile, and printing. To preserve and reconstruct essential elements of the original power plant, the building’s industrial character and its relationship with the immediate context have been reinforced.

The project worked out a reinterpretation of the historical boiler house, taking advantage of existing original foundations. The exposed concrete structure provides flexible spaces for the workshops, which are stacked vertically. The turbine hall maintains its old layers, making them part of the new facilities. Upstairs, the refurbished steel trusses are left visible, offering a versatile space for exhibitions and events.

The workshops share a large service wall that ensures structural stability between the existing building and the addition. Two big volumes on the roof are reminders of the chimneys of the original boiler house. The main public entrance is on the right. The visitor comes in to find a juxtaposition of old and new details: concrete vaults, glazed bricks and tiles, leftover graffiti, and added architectural elements. A metal staircase draws attention toward the large foyer, the building’s principal public feature.