The project is an adaptive re-use of a former printing plant in the Landmark New Era Building in Soho, New York City.

The client required gallery space, a library and an office area.

The gallery and library are designed as interlocking spaces, both being changeable and adaptable to different situations. The library, near the entrance, doubles as a reception area, and the gallery doubles as a performance space.

The existing wood floor was salvaged and treated; the beautiful vaulted ceiling was restored. The new three-dimensional thick walls were introduced as layers, leaving the history of the space intact.

The museum quality light fixtures were developed by a museum light manufacturer and were installed without interfering with the vaulted ceiling. Concealed up lights in the thick new walls provide sidelights during performance. The library space is illuminated during the day by natural light streaming in from the large windows, while during the evening the space is illuminated by a modern rendition of suspension light fixtures.

The vaulted ceiling, the wall and floor finishes and the proportion of the space contribute to excellent acoustics in particular for percussion instruments.

“The purity of their architectural forms implies restraint and respect for essential values.” Controspazio, 1998