Rebuilding Brooklyn's historic Industry City into a regenerative urban space

The "Brooklyn Dairy Project" by Yujin Cao and Xiaofan Ye reimagines Industry City, a historic industrial district in South Brooklyn, as a vibrant and sustainable urban environment. By integrating two core programs—"Brooklyn Dairy" and "Urban Farm"—the proposal addresses local segregation and accessibility issues while unlocking the latent potential of this expansive site.

Photo credit: Yujin CAO + Xiaofan YE

Inspired by the nearby highway infrastructure, the project extends a linear framework in alignment with existing railways to weave the site into the broader urban fabric. Fragmented by newly introduced roads, the industrial landscape is transformed into a modular and adaptable spatial network that enhances unity and connectivity while reducing its scale to a more human dimension.

Photo credit: Yujin CAO + Xiaofan YE

Photo credit: Yujin CAO + Xiaofan YE

The revitalized ground is organized as a productive, multi-layered landscape supported by nutrient-rich soil that enables diverse crop cultivation and dairy farming. Repurposed railways facilitate both internal logistics and external distribution, while former warehouses are adapted for hay storage—establishing a self-sustaining circular system. This regenerative design fosters biodiversity, supports land remediation, and energizes urban agriculture.

Photo credit: Yujin CAO + Xiaofan YE

Architecturally, flexibility and environmental adaptability define the structural concept. Movable upper components accommodate seasonal and climatic shifts, with sliding panels and unfolding sheds fostering optimal growing conditions while maintaining continuity with the landscape. The ground level houses roofed cow gardens and public gathering spaces for cultural and social exchange, while upper floors support aquaponic systems and greenhouse production—creating a vertically integrated ecosystem.

Photo credit: Yujin CAO + Xiaofan YE

Photo credit: Yujin CAO + Xiaofan YE

Transport and distribution are concentrated along the building’s southern edge, while the northern portion features quiet farmland shared by animals and urban residents. This spatial contrast expresses the project's core philosophy: balancing the vibrancy of urban life with the serenity of rural landscapes.　The "Brooklyn Dairy Project" offers a new circular model for urban revitalization by blending industrial, agricultural, and civic systems. At its heart, the shifting movement of a singular triangular module symbolizes adaptability and interconnectedness—projecting a vision for an inclusive, sustainable future.

About Yujin Cao

Yujin Cao is a multidisciplinary architect, artist, and educator whose practice moves fluidly across architecture, visual arts, and pedagogy. She holds a Master of Architecture in Urban Design from the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and her work spans architectural design, painting, installation, photography, and film—creating immersive visual narratives that interweave spatial and conceptual storytelling. Her global perspective is shaped by diverse experiences studying, teaching, and practicing across Asia, North America, and Europe. Yujin’s work has been recognized with multiple international awards, including Architizer A+, International Design Awards, and MUSE Design Awards. Her thesis project at Harvard was awarded the highest distinction of “Distinction,” and her artworks have been featured in platforms such as KOOZARCH and Harvard Zone 3. As a juror, she has contributed to global design competitions such as the A’Design Award, Apexart, and Archiol—offering thoughtful and critical evaluations across disciplines.