This 1,200 square foot studio for a painter based in West Los Angeles provides additional workspace illuminated by filtered, soft light. The artist, whose works require long drying periods under indirect sunlight, wanted to have a tall, light-filled space to finish and display his paintings. It was important that the new studio not only share the basic display functionality of an art gallery, but also to be able to recreate the light characteristics of where his work would eventually hang.

kdA chose an exterior frame of laminated timber to achieve the desired height. The exterior surfaces were painted white to reflect light off the building and into the strategically placed windows, which then filter light into the white interior. The firm also designed a mezzanine space for a tea ceremony, as requested by the painter.