It’s a new day for the historic Nitehawk Cinema in Park Slope, Brooklyn! This Prospect Park outpost of the chic dine-in independent film house, opened in 2018 at the former Pavilion movie theater. Completed in 1928, this windowless building is getting a sustainability upgrade with the addition of solar panels.
AYON Studio, who has worked with Nitehawk on the exterior repairs since the building conversion, is working with Sunkeeper Solar on the design of the eco-friendly measure to this building. The result will help offset the electrical energy use, particularly in the screening rooms and commercial kitchen where the lights are always on. According to principal Angel Ayón, "We're trying to maximize the use of the existing roof... and strike the right balance between preservation and sustainability."
As covered by Patch, the solar panel design was unanimously approved by the city’s Landmarks Preservation Committee, as well as by Brooklyn Community Board Six. The panels’ slight increase in height and minimal change to the building exterior structure was a selling point for the Commission and the Board, as was their enthusiasm about the benefit to the theater, the community and society. "I look at solar panels like I look at ADA ramps," said and LPC Commissioner during the Public Hearing. "These are signs of our progress towards a better way of living. I think they're actually lovely to look at."