McCarren ParkHouse

Located in our own Greenpoint neighborhood, the McCarren ParkHouse is a landmark within a beloved green space. Tri-Lox worked with KTISMAstudio to implement a design that celebrates the building’s original architecture while simultaneously making vital updates to the structure and opening up the design to be a more integral part of the surrounding park.

Project Development

Updating a Public Amenity

Designed in 1911 by McKim, Mead & White, whose work included the Brooklyn Museum and the first Pennsylvania station, the McCarren ParkHouse features include red brick and arches throughout the space. The building serves as an essential facility with multiple public restrooms and a maintenance hub for Parks employees. However, in recent decades, the ParkHouse had fallen into disrepair.

KTISMA’s adaptive reuse approach celebrates the building’s features, while also updating the structure to become a functioning, reliable amenity for McCarren Park and a more porous, seamless part of the surrounding environment. As a frequent collaborator with KTISMA, the Tri-Lox team was thrilled to once again work together on this hyperlocal project. Tri-Lox’s overarching approach of creating a symbiotic relationship between the built and natural environment complements KTISMA’s architectural vision for this public space in our urban forest.

Retractable glass doors on both wings of the building’s north side as well as two large archway entrances create a light, open space that dissolves the boundaries of indoor and outdoor.

Collaboration & Craft

Transforming the space with locally-sourced, locally-made wood

Tri-Lox brought the design to life through a combination of veneer paneling and solid Oak countertops: natural materials made for hardwearing use in a public space.

Tri-Lox worked with KTISMA to implement millwork features across the building. Oak shelving built into the ParkHouse’s original arches reflects KTISMA’s approach of enhancing and underscoring the original architecture. The concession areas, each unique but complementary to one another and the space, makes regionally-sourced, locally-crafted wood a new design feature, reinforcing the connection between the natural and built environment.

Our Cloud finish subtly highlights the grain of the White Oak against a muted background tone.

Concession areas adjacent to the original structure create new focal points for communal gathering.

The wood features at McCarren ParkHouse were fabricated and finished less than a mile away from the park at our workshop on India Street. The Tri-Lox team was excited to bring our local, sustainable process to a local public space and looks forward to having this new destination in Greenpoint. 

Location

Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Completed

Summer 2022

Architect

KTISMAStudio

Photography

Nicholas Venezia

Next Project

The Watershed Collection