The Refinery exemplifies PAU’s commitment to preserving the city’s history while adapting buildings for the future. While a partner at SHoP Architects, PAU Founder and Creative Director Vishaan Chakrabarti, with Field Operations, helped establish the master plan for the 11-acre Domino site, including a waterfront park, public plaza, and street grid reconnecting Williamsburg to the East River. In 2017, shortly after founding PAU, Chakrabarti was commissioned by Two Trees to transform the landmark refinery into creative offices, an event venue, and ground-floor retail. PAU inserted a contemporary curtainwall structure within the historic masonry—often described as “a bottle in a ship”—creating accessible, light-filled workspaces while preserving the landmark exterior. The preserved brick envelope shades the interior while framing views of the city and river. The space between the historic and new façades brings daylight, greenery, and close views of the original masonry into the workplace. A vaulted penthouse references the building’s historic American Round Arch windows and provides column-free event space with panoramic views. The project received near-unanimous approval from the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and has become a celebrated part of the Brooklyn waterfront.