For a design-forward real estate development company, Modellus Novus maximized the floor area of an up-zoned lot in a rapidly changing area of Brooklyn. The design of this mixed-use building aimed to feel both new and at home in an architecturally-eclectic neighborhood, celebrating the industrial nature of the area. At more than 81,000 square feet, the building has been designed to distribute its considerable square footage into an unconventional massing that breaks down its large-scale and potential to overwhelm its smaller scale neighbors.

The building’s distinct facades echo the flared concrete columns found in nearby industrial buildings, while the precast concrete construction aims at constructional efficiency. The ground floor is given over to the neighborhood with interior space designed for community use, while unprogrammed outdoor spaces are like large brownstone stoops, encouraging casual interaction between residents and passersby.