Juliette Lam, senior principal with HOK's New York office, tellsGlobeSt.com the goal is to preserve the 19th century firehouse'sexterior while gut renovating the two-story, 4,250-square-footinterior. The BP Music Center will house the administrative officesof the orchestra as well as Create!, its multi-disciplinary artspartner.

The renovated space will also contain a multi-purpose space forperformances, meetings, lectures, and other community uses on theground floor, along with a music rehearsal area. However, Lam saysthe performance space is intended more for educational events andwill not serve as a permanent concert hall for the orchestra. Thephilharmonic will still perform primarily at the Brooklyn Academyof Music.

Lam tells GlobeSt.com the plans are undergoing review by thecity. "They've suggested some modifications, which we'veincorporated," she says. Although HOK provided the redesign on apro bono basis, the start of actual construction depends on theorchestra's success in raising the $2.6 million needed to fund theredevelopment. The goal is to begin the project this summer, saysLam.