Newlab at the Brooklyn Navy Yard

Historic naval machine and ship-building shop adapted into a bustling innovation center.

The Newlab is a design and prototyping facility for the development of advanced technologies and new manufacturing techniques in robotics, artificial intelligence, urban technology, the built environment, energy, connected devices, additive tech, life sciences, and nanotechnology. Originally a shop for the US Navy begun in 1899, the renovated building interior is organized along a linear central corridor extending the building’s 350’ length. An additional 32,000sf of additional floors, mezzanines, and buildouts accommodates workspaces, shops, event spaces and meeting rooms. In the reconstruction of the facility for present-day use by the New Lab, both the building’s architectural attributes and legacy of fabrication are reflected in the new design.

© David Sundberg Esto
1206 New Lab John Bartelstone N51 medium cropped 1206 New Lab David Sundberg N51 medium cropped
Rendered section © Macro Sea

Within the re-used steel structure, existing building trusses and the four overhead material transport gantries are kept visually clear and unaltered. New distribution systems are consolidated behind existing primary beams at side aisles to avoid visual noise at the main ceiling structure. Daylight filters through the existing clerestory at the central corridor and perimeter windows illuminate the side aisle spaces.

© David Sundberg Esto
© David Sundberg Esto
Along the building’s length, new build-outs recall the individual fabrication and equipment stations that once lined the naval machine shop.
A variety of open and enclosed workspaces and meeting areas are integrated throughout the interior.
© David Sundberg Esto
The exterior of the building was stripped to its original steel skeleton and fully reclad with new insulated windows and metal panels reflecting the historical configuration.
© David Sundberg Esto
© David Sundberg Esto
The main entry passes through the industrial sliding doors. Smaller man-doors act as the day-to-day entry. The main floor raised above the original working floor provides flood resiliency from the harbor and depth for radiant heating.
Flexible workspace across portions of the open floor allow flexibility for desks or open prototyping and fabrication areas. Like the original shop, retooling and rearrangement options are built into the flexibility of the design.

The second level perimeter walkway is carried by the original structure, with connection bridges across the space hung from the original overhead gantries.

© Marvel
A walkway bridge over the entryway gives an overlook of the entire space, used to orient visitors with a single view of where to go and what is happening with events and building tenants.

Historic naval machine and ship-building shop adapted into a bustling innovation center.

The Newlab is a design and prototyping facility for the development of advanced technologies and new manufacturing techniques in robotics, artificial intelligence, urban technology, the built environment, energy, connected devices, additive tech, life sciences, and nanotechnology. Originally a shop for the US Navy begun in 1899, the renovated building interior is organized along a linear central corridor extending the building’s 350’ length. An additional 32,000sf of additional floors, mezzanines, and buildouts accommodates workspaces, shops, event spaces and meeting rooms. In the reconstruction of the facility for present-day use by the New Lab, both the building’s architectural attributes and legacy of fabrication are reflected in the new design.

1206 New Lab John Bartelstone N51 medium cropped 1206 New Lab David Sundberg N51 medium cropped
120112 BLDG 128 Section Perspective
Within the re-used steel structure, existing building trusses and the four overhead material transport gantries are kept visually clear and unaltered. New distribution systems are consolidated behind existing primary beams at side aisles to avoid visual noise at the main ceiling structure. Daylight filters through the existing clerestory at the central corridor and perimeter windows illuminate the side aisle spaces.
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
Along the building’s length, new build-outs recall the individual fabrication and equipment stations that once lined the naval machine shop.
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
A variety of open and enclosed workspaces and meeting areas are integrated throughout the interior.
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
The exterior of the building was stripped to its original steel skeleton and fully reclad with new insulated windows and metal panels reflecting the historical configuration.
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
The main entry passes through the industrial sliding doors. Smaller man-doors act as the day-to-day entry. The main floor raised above the original working floor provides flood resiliency from the harbor and depth for radiant heating.
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
Flexible workspace across portions of the open floor allow flexibility for desks or open prototyping and fabrication areas. Like the original shop, retooling and rearrangement options are built into the flexibility of the design.
1206 New Lab N7 medium
The second level perimeter walkway is carried by the original structure, with connection bridges across the space hung from the original overhead gantries.
1206 Newlab N53 medium
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
A walkway bridge over the entryway gives an overlook of the entire space, used to orient visitors with a single view of where to go and what is happening with events and building tenants.

Newlab at the Brooklyn Navy Yard

Historic naval machine and ship-building shop adapted into a bustling innovation center.

The Newlab is a design and prototyping facility for the development of advanced technologies and new manufacturing techniques in robotics, artificial intelligence, urban technology, the built environment, energy, connected devices, additive tech, life sciences, and nanotechnology. Originally a shop for the US Navy begun in 1899, the renovated building interior is organized along a linear central corridor extending the building’s 350’ length. An additional 32,000sf of additional floors, mezzanines, and buildouts accommodates workspaces, shops, event spaces and meeting rooms. In the reconstruction of the facility for present-day use by the New Lab, both the building’s architectural attributes and legacy of fabrication are reflected in the new design.

© David Sundberg Esto
1206 New Lab John Bartelstone N51 medium cropped 1206 New Lab David Sundberg N51 medium cropped
Rendered section © Macro Sea

Within the re-used steel structure, existing building trusses and the four overhead material transport gantries are kept visually clear and unaltered. New distribution systems are consolidated behind existing primary beams at side aisles to avoid visual noise at the main ceiling structure. Daylight filters through the existing clerestory at the central corridor and perimeter windows illuminate the side aisle spaces.

© David Sundberg Esto
© David Sundberg Esto
Along the building’s length, new build-outs recall the individual fabrication and equipment stations that once lined the naval machine shop.
A variety of open and enclosed workspaces and meeting areas are integrated throughout the interior.
© David Sundberg Esto
The exterior of the building was stripped to its original steel skeleton and fully reclad with new insulated windows and metal panels reflecting the historical configuration.
© David Sundberg Esto
© David Sundberg Esto
The main entry passes through the industrial sliding doors. Smaller man-doors act as the day-to-day entry. The main floor raised above the original working floor provides flood resiliency from the harbor and depth for radiant heating.
Flexible workspace across portions of the open floor allow flexibility for desks or open prototyping and fabrication areas. Like the original shop, retooling and rearrangement options are built into the flexibility of the design.

The second level perimeter walkway is carried by the original structure, with connection bridges across the space hung from the original overhead gantries.

© Marvel
A walkway bridge over the entryway gives an overlook of the entire space, used to orient visitors with a single view of where to go and what is happening with events and building tenants.

Historic naval machine and ship-building shop adapted into a bustling innovation center.

The Newlab is a design and prototyping facility for the development of advanced technologies and new manufacturing techniques in robotics, artificial intelligence, urban technology, the built environment, energy, connected devices, additive tech, life sciences, and nanotechnology. Originally a shop for the US Navy begun in 1899, the renovated building interior is organized along a linear central corridor extending the building’s 350’ length. An additional 32,000sf of additional floors, mezzanines, and buildouts accommodates workspaces, shops, event spaces and meeting rooms. In the reconstruction of the facility for present-day use by the New Lab, both the building’s architectural attributes and legacy of fabrication are reflected in the new design.

1206 New Lab John Bartelstone N51 medium cropped 1206 New Lab David Sundberg N51 medium cropped
120112 BLDG 128 Section Perspective
Within the re-used steel structure, existing building trusses and the four overhead material transport gantries are kept visually clear and unaltered. New distribution systems are consolidated behind existing primary beams at side aisles to avoid visual noise at the main ceiling structure. Daylight filters through the existing clerestory at the central corridor and perimeter windows illuminate the side aisle spaces.
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
Along the building’s length, new build-outs recall the individual fabrication and equipment stations that once lined the naval machine shop.
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
A variety of open and enclosed workspaces and meeting areas are integrated throughout the interior.
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
The exterior of the building was stripped to its original steel skeleton and fully reclad with new insulated windows and metal panels reflecting the historical configuration.
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
The main entry passes through the industrial sliding doors. Smaller man-doors act as the day-to-day entry. The main floor raised above the original working floor provides flood resiliency from the harbor and depth for radiant heating.
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
Flexible workspace across portions of the open floor allow flexibility for desks or open prototyping and fabrication areas. Like the original shop, retooling and rearrangement options are built into the flexibility of the design.
1206 New Lab N7 medium
The second level perimeter walkway is carried by the original structure, with connection bridges across the space hung from the original overhead gantries.
1206 Newlab N53 medium
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
A walkway bridge over the entryway gives an overlook of the entire space, used to orient visitors with a single view of where to go and what is happening with events and building tenants.

Newlab at the Brooklyn Navy Yard

Historic naval machine and ship-building shop adapted into a bustling innovation center.

The Newlab is a design and prototyping facility for the development of advanced technologies and new manufacturing techniques in robotics, artificial intelligence, urban technology, the built environment, energy, connected devices, additive tech, life sciences, and nanotechnology. Originally a shop for the US Navy begun in 1899, the renovated building interior is organized along a linear central corridor extending the building’s 350’ length. An additional 32,000sf of additional floors, mezzanines, and buildouts accommodates workspaces, shops, event spaces and meeting rooms. In the reconstruction of the facility for present-day use by the New Lab, both the building’s architectural attributes and legacy of fabrication are reflected in the new design.

© David Sundberg Esto
1206 New Lab John Bartelstone N51 medium cropped 1206 New Lab David Sundberg N51 medium cropped
Rendered section © Macro Sea

Within the re-used steel structure, existing building trusses and the four overhead material transport gantries are kept visually clear and unaltered. New distribution systems are consolidated behind existing primary beams at side aisles to avoid visual noise at the main ceiling structure. Daylight filters through the existing clerestory at the central corridor and perimeter windows illuminate the side aisle spaces.

© David Sundberg Esto
© David Sundberg Esto
Along the building’s length, new build-outs recall the individual fabrication and equipment stations that once lined the naval machine shop.
A variety of open and enclosed workspaces and meeting areas are integrated throughout the interior.
© David Sundberg Esto
The exterior of the building was stripped to its original steel skeleton and fully reclad with new insulated windows and metal panels reflecting the historical configuration.
© David Sundberg Esto
© David Sundberg Esto
The main entry passes through the industrial sliding doors. Smaller man-doors act as the day-to-day entry. The main floor raised above the original working floor provides flood resiliency from the harbor and depth for radiant heating.
Flexible workspace across portions of the open floor allow flexibility for desks or open prototyping and fabrication areas. Like the original shop, retooling and rearrangement options are built into the flexibility of the design.

The second level perimeter walkway is carried by the original structure, with connection bridges across the space hung from the original overhead gantries.

© Marvel
A walkway bridge over the entryway gives an overlook of the entire space, used to orient visitors with a single view of where to go and what is happening with events and building tenants.

Historic naval machine and ship-building shop adapted into a bustling innovation center.

The Newlab is a design and prototyping facility for the development of advanced technologies and new manufacturing techniques in robotics, artificial intelligence, urban technology, the built environment, energy, connected devices, additive tech, life sciences, and nanotechnology. Originally a shop for the US Navy begun in 1899, the renovated building interior is organized along a linear central corridor extending the building’s 350’ length. An additional 32,000sf of additional floors, mezzanines, and buildouts accommodates workspaces, shops, event spaces and meeting rooms. In the reconstruction of the facility for present-day use by the New Lab, both the building’s architectural attributes and legacy of fabrication are reflected in the new design.

1206 New Lab John Bartelstone N51 medium cropped 1206 New Lab David Sundberg N51 medium cropped
120112 BLDG 128 Section Perspective
Within the re-used steel structure, existing building trusses and the four overhead material transport gantries are kept visually clear and unaltered. New distribution systems are consolidated behind existing primary beams at side aisles to avoid visual noise at the main ceiling structure. Daylight filters through the existing clerestory at the central corridor and perimeter windows illuminate the side aisle spaces.
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
Along the building’s length, new build-outs recall the individual fabrication and equipment stations that once lined the naval machine shop.
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
A variety of open and enclosed workspaces and meeting areas are integrated throughout the interior.
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
The exterior of the building was stripped to its original steel skeleton and fully reclad with new insulated windows and metal panels reflecting the historical configuration.
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
The main entry passes through the industrial sliding doors. Smaller man-doors act as the day-to-day entry. The main floor raised above the original working floor provides flood resiliency from the harbor and depth for radiant heating.
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
Flexible workspace across portions of the open floor allow flexibility for desks or open prototyping and fabrication areas. Like the original shop, retooling and rearrangement options are built into the flexibility of the design.
1206 New Lab N7 medium
The second level perimeter walkway is carried by the original structure, with connection bridges across the space hung from the original overhead gantries.
1206 Newlab N53 medium
Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
A walkway bridge over the entryway gives an overlook of the entire space, used to orient visitors with a single view of where to go and what is happening with events and building tenants.

Location

Brooklyn, NY

Client

DBI/Macro-Sea

Typology

Size

52,000SF existing + 32,000SF addition = 84,000SF total

Design Team

Jonathan Marvel, Scott Demel, Zachary Cohen, Elise DeChard, Eckart Graeve, Teo Quintana

Awards

AIANY Design Merit Award for Architecture, Building Brooklyn Awards National Grid Award for Energy Efficiency, Recipient of several design awards including the Architectural Record's Good Design is Good Business, AIA New York State Design Award: Historic Preservation/Adaptive Reuse Category, ULI NY Awards for Excellence in Repositioning or Redevelopment

Consultants

Enginering Group Associates (Structural), BD Engineering (MEP), DGA (Lighting), JM Zoning (Expeditor + Code Consultant), Bill Coffey (Door Hardware).