Addition by subtraction: Art Share L.A. renovation strips away its acquired superfluity

Over the years, the 28,000-sf former textile-recycling factory that is home to Art Share L.A. has undergone numerous renovations, each one with its own specific purpose in mind. Now, a renovation of the entire building will create a cohesive layout to serve Art Share L.A.’s existing and envisioned programming and prioritize flexibility, openness, and connectivity.

Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects (LOHA) is in charge of the redesign that will clear away the fragmented build-up of previous renovations and try to capture the character of the original spaces while prepping them for new use.

Rendering courtesy of LOHA.

The new design strips away the redundant walls and circulation spaces to reveal the flexibility of the space and recapturing 30% of the building’s available square footage. The building’s manufacturing past will be visible in the brick walls, freight doors, concrete and wood posts, beam structure, and embedded train tracks.

The exhibition, performance, and administrative spaces will be reconfigured and expanded within the new space along a series of programmatic bands that are tied together through a cross-grain circulation pattern. The renovation will also consolidate the building’s multiple entrances into one main entry that can be open, safe, and accessible for extended periods of time.

Rendering courtesy of LOHA.

Social exchange is another key factor in the redesign as the interior spaces will extend outward and invite the surrounding Arts District to engage in the creative environment found within.