Domino Park

Practice Area

Client

Two Trees

Industry

  1. Embracing the site’s industrial heritage, the park repurposed elements from the factory including 80-foot high gantry cranes and large-scale syrup tanks that act as natural landmarks.

  2. The park’s visual language were inspired by its namesake. A tree icon was made from the dot grid seen in domino tiles and paired with stencil typography inspired by type found in the factory.

  3. As part of the design strategy, an industrial language of ‘H beams’ was used at varying sizes to unify the many sign types. Information monoliths were positioned at key points across the 5 acre site.

  4. ‘Heads up’ style mapping was used for each directory monolith and each map was created specifically for each location and orientation. Maps were printed directly to the ‘H beam’ in a limited palette.

  5. The larger family of signs were used for the recreational spaces in the park. Each area required a rule sign with large destination labels and specific activity instructions.

  6. Smaller low level signs were created which continued the industrial language and palette.

  7. Threshold signs were pre-cast and inset into the ground to signal the official entries into the park. These repeat throughout the length of the 5-acre site and reference the repeat of a domino tile.

  8. Temporary site signage echoed the utilitarian brand language. Sign painters were commissioned to hand stencil the logo and an expressive graphic referencing the playful tessellation of domino tiles.

Project Vision

Domino Park is a new five-acre park in Brooklyn, on the site of the former Domino Sugar refinery. The park, developed by Two Trees and designed by James Corner Field Operations, restores access to the waterfront, and features a new Danny Meyer taco stand, a volleyball court, dog run and playground.

The backdrop of the park nods to the history of the refinery by incorporating its industrial remnants, including a syrup collection tank and 80-foot high gantry cranes. The Domino name, retained from the site’s heritage, was used as inspiration for the park’s symbol and visual language. A tree icon, often used in municipal park branding, was made from the dot grid seen in domino tiles. A supporting typographic palette and wordmark were informed by stencil lettered signage found in the factory. The typeface, Ano Stencil, is a contemporary take on of this style of utilitarian typography and was chosen to have synergy and balance with the Domino tree symbol as well as reinforce the symbol’s industrial quality. Both symbol and typography can be hand stenciled or punched out of materials. A bespoke set of stencil pictograms was also created to compliment the icon and wordmark.

The signage for a park like Domino is unique. It was important that the signage scheme had a synergy with the park’s design, material palette and unique setting. As part of the design strategy, the agency created an industrial language of H-beams used at varying sizes to unify the many sign types including large directory monoliths and smaller rule signs for recreation areas. Threshold signs were precast and inset into the ground to signal the official entries into the park, repeating throughout the length of the 5-acre site, referencing the repeat of a domino tile.

The opportunity to create a brand in parallel with the signage design enabled a very tailored approach, resulting in a dynamic, engaging signage scheme which takes advantage of every element of the identity to continue Domino Park’s unique story.

Project Details
If there is a place for highly appropriate, background wayfinding systems (and there is), this is a great example. The re-interpretation of industrial iconography, materials and even typography makes for a highly integrated system which strikes just the right balance between presenting its own skillful design aesthetic and performing its primary function of helping visitors navigate an active civic space. It lets the park be the star.
Juror 1
The designers took care to connect the materiality of the identification and directional signage, black wide flange steel beam pylons with additional signage and messaging is inlaid into the ground plane, on manhole covers, stamped into concrete.
Juror 2
Design Team

Barry Smith (design director); Scott Langer, Nick Tweedie, Seth Hoekstra (designer); Chris Lopez-Thomas (senior producer)

Project Area

217,800 sq ft