In 2014 a prominent art and design school purchased 128,000 square feet, six story mid-rise at the end of the historic 110 freeway. Starting at the top level of the building the school needed to convert existing nondescript office space to drawing and painting classrooms. More than that, the program called for another south campus outpost; An academic and cultural destination. In addition to direct instruction spaces the program included galleries, student ‘living rooms’, offices, meeting and conference spaces. The project needed to demonstrate that the existing building could be converted to support education, promote culture, and align with the high aesthetic standards of the college. The design utilizes the existing powerfully horizontal space and continuous ribbon windows while disrupting the typical monotonous high-rise core and program relationships. Cross axial connections are cut into the mass of the program to create public spaces with views and natural light.
Gallery View
Plan and Section
Before / After
Gallery / Corridor
Gallery Detail
Classroom Views
Painting Classroom
Student Lounge
Student Lounge
Ribbon Window Seat
Lounge Cut In
Ribbon Window Seat
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