Designed by internationally renowned architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, known for their innovative designs featuring natural materials and eco-friendly practices, the Lakeside Center consists of two buildings and two adjacent skating rinks. Williams and Tsien’s visionary and understated design gracefully integrates 21st century architecture into a landmark 19th century park, and restores the original beauty of one of Olmsted & Vaux's loveliest corners of Prospect Park.
 
Lakeside’s design focuses on the scenic beauty of the site. Nestled into the landscape, the structure itself will be low in profile and energy consumption, with the aim of qualifying for Silver LEED energy efficiency certification. A "green roof" over all building structures will make the Center unobtrusive, as well as reduce storm water runoff and the urban heat island effect. A rainwater retention basin built into the southern berm will store water to irrigate the roof planting areas and adjacent landscape; passive ventilation is a primary design element in all public areas of the site; recycled and local materials will be used as much as possible; and new trees and shrubs will be primarily native and adaptive species, requiring little irrigation and supporting the local habitat. The Center is ADA accessible.

The new Lakeside Center will showcase the Park’s scenic lakeside landscape. The new facility has an understated design, emphasizing the Project’s creation of three new acres of surrounding green space, and featuring direct access to the lake shore.