space international architects: mak gallery

the MAK gallery by space international architecture photo by joshua white image courtesy space international architecture

serving as an extension of the MAK center for art and architecture los angeles, the MAK gallery by american firm space international architecture hovers above five garage studios. artists and architects travel from around the world to stay in six month residencies in the main building, the mackey apartments, originally designed in 1939 by rudolph schindler, a viennese emigre and early pioneer of the modernist landscape in los angeles.

the mak gallery project operates both conceptually and literally as a ‘black box’ which is cantilevered on top of an existing garage structure which has been renovated to serve as studios for the visiting artists in residence. a new 800 square feet gallery hovers above these studios, creating a large, flexible gathering space serving a variety of functions. a large multi-stacking sliding door system, constructed from aluminum frames and structured polycarbonate panels. when open, these doors transform the interior space into an elevated outdoor room focusing on the main buildings rear facade, courtyard and roof terraces which are a prominent part of the original architectural strategy for the property.

when the shutters are closed image courtesy space international architecture

image courtesy space international architecture

image courtesy space international architecture

image courtesy space international architecture

photo by joshua white image courtesy space international architecture

mak entry image courtesy space international architecture

photo by stephen king photography image courtesy space international architecture

image courtesy space international architecture

image courtesy space international architecture

image courtesy space international architecture

image courtesy space international architecture

site plan

project profile: mak gallery description: a flexible use building for the mak center for art & architecture los angeles location: los angeles, ca completion: june 2010 size: 1900 sf (660 sqm) architects: space international inc. – michael ferguson, principal; kirby smith, project architect client: mak center for art & architecture los angeles – peter noever, director, mak vienna / kimberli meyer, director mak center los angeles contractor: i.e. construction – ivan ramirez, contractor consultants: structural engineer – stephen perloff energy – alternative energy systems photography: steve king photography joshua white photography all other images courtesy space international inc.