A complete remodel and new storefront façade for an existing 1940’s retail building, the architectural response to this project emerged from the unique duality of its program. Contained within one shell are two disparate businesses managed by a singular proprietor. One side of the building is occupied by Absolute Court Reporting, an establishment that trains court reporters in a state of the art simulated courtroom environment. Directly adjacent resides the dance rehearsal studio for Swedish Diva Productions, a performance group catering to private parties and events. The architecture directly addresses this juxtaposition in both its organization and formal articulation.
Each space was strategically planned so that the most critical programmatic element of one would sit directly astride that of its neighbor. Thus, sharing a dividing wall at the core of the space are the mock courtroom of Absolute Court Reporting and the dance studio of Swedish Diva Productions. Reception areas, offices and support spaces unfold along the respective perimeter walls of each business, and a one-way mirrored wall separating the courtroom and dance studio subverts the relationship between viewer and viewed.
Project Team
Pugh + Scarpa Architects (architect)
Gwynne Pugh (structural and civil engineering)
Benny Chan – Fotoworks (photography)
