Exclusive Brickwork Design Defines Brooklyn's One Park Point

FXCollaborative approached Belden Brick with an ambitious vision and design challenge: create diverse masonry textures using just one custom brick die.

When New York-based FXCollaborative envisioned One Park Point—a new, 13-story residential building at the gateway to Brooklyn's Prospect Park—they wanted to honor the Windsor Terrace neighborhood’s architectural heritage, create a distinctly contemporary statement, and contain costs.

For creative and technical support with this unique challenge, the firm turned to The Belden Brick Company for the development of a single brick profile capable of generating diverse visual textures across the building's curved brick façade. The result: a custom sawtooth brick design and more than 57,000 bricks in three distinct colorways that now define this landmark structure.

"We're continually pushing the boundaries of what's possible with brick designs," said Tabitha Alleshouse, manager of architectural shapes at Belden Brick. "Transforming simple geometric lines into architectural statements is where function meets artistry. While we've previously explored projections in brickwork, the sawtooth design—especially executed in multiple colors—marked an exciting first for us."

BELDEN BRICK DESIGNERS CRAFT THE IDEAL SOLUTION

The brick design process spanned six months of close collaboration between Belden Brick's design team and FXCollaborative. Through multiple sketches and prototypes, brick designers refined the special sawtooth shape to ensure it would deliver the desired visual impact while remaining efficient to produce at scale.

"We explored different options with FXCollaborative and Belden Tri-State Building Materials to create a unique appearance, provide cost and time savings in the field, and make it easier for our plants to produce high-quantity shapes," said Alleshouse. “This approach is a cornerstone of our customer service philosophy.”

The breakthrough came when Belden Brick’s team proposed a sawtooth profile with precisely calculated projections—a design that would create dramatic shadow lines while remaining feasible for mass production.

FROM CONCEPT TO REALITY, BELDEN BRICK DEMONSTRATES MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE

Making the sawtooth brick presented significant manufacturing challenges that showcased Belden Brick's technical expertise. Using specialized push cutter technology for the lip stretcher brick, the production team adapted its processes to accommodate the complex geometry of the design.

Alleshouse said, "Bringing a custom brick design to life is a true team effort. From concept to final product, each person contributes a vital part of the process. We use specialized tooling to extrude complex shapes and, when needed, rely on the expertise of our craftsmen for hand-finishing details."

The manufacturing process required meticulous quality control to ensure consistency across thousands of pieces—a testament to Belden Brick's commitment to excellence on every project, regardless of complexity.

BRICKWORK DESIGN HELPS TRANSFORM AN URBAN LANDSCAPE

One Point Park, completed in August 2024, showcases the profound impact of brick design on an architectural surface through the interplay of light and shadow. As sunlight moves across the building throughout the day, the sawtooth shape creates shifting patterns that bring the building to life.

"One of the most compelling trends in architecture today is using light and shadow as design elements," said Alleshouse. "The bold projection of this shape creates a dynamic contrast to traditional flat-faced brick. As sunlight moves across the surface, it reveals shifting lines and textures that offer a new visual experience to those passing by."

The building's curved brickwork elegantly frames Machate Circle, a culmination of the project’s goal: to create a distinctive presence that enhances the historic park entrance while establishing a strong contemporary identity.

"At Belden, we're continuously evolving—embracing new technology and equipment to support increasingly ambitious designs," Alleshouse said. "But our true strength lies in mastering fundamentals and tapping into our team's deep expertise. We never shy away from a challenge; instead, we bring the right minds together to find creative, practical solutions that turn bold ideas into reality."

For architects and designers looking to push the boundaries of what's possible with brick designs, Belden Brick offers not just manufacturing capacity but a true creative partnership. One Park Point stands as a testament to what's possible when visionary design meets manufacturing excellence.