Featured Loft - The Sandman's Space

Industrial lofts generally require some kind of intervention in order to make them serve their new purpose. In the case of this loft, art is the main intervention. Prominent and colorful sculptures dictate the layout of the loft and dictate the observer's perception of the space. The overall impression is that of a surreal art gallery - private living quarters are unseen to the casual observer. Not only does the art define the space, it creates a truly memorable work/live environment.

"Sandman" is the artist alter ego of Sean Sobczak. Sean is a gifted sculptor who creates ethereal, large-scale sculptures of  undersea creatures and mythical beasts. They are made of intricately welded wire-frames covered in hand-sewn fabrics infused with twinkling lights. Because of their size, Sandman needed a space large enough to both store the sculptures and house the workshop necessary to build them. His loft, located in downtown Los Angeles in a brick and concrete building formerly used as a bottling factory, is 3000 sqft. and is comprised of a large main room and gallery as well as two bedrooms and a bathroom located in the rear of the long, rectangular space.

When Sandman moved into the loft, he needed a large space appropriate for working on and displaying his sculptures, so he removed two existing walls near the front entrance. He also added a wall in the rear of the loft to form a second bedroom, which enables him to have guests and roommates. He built floor-to-ceiling shelving in one corner of the loft to store his large stock of fabric rolls and materials. 

Giant Octopus at Left of Entry (storage space behind)

The open floor plan allows Sandman to use one side of the loft as a workshop and the other side as a gallery/socializing space. The socializing space is defined by two couches and coffee table placed towards the center of the room and supported on one side by smaller-scale sculptures. The kitchen area is defined by a long counter top and leads to the workshop space. The private bedrooms are accessed through an inconspicuous door in the rear of the loft, between the socializing area and the kitchen. 

Living Area Framed by Sculptures

View at Roll-up Door (Workshop to the left)

The loft has two means of ingress/egress and they are both located at one end of the loft - a door accessible from a hallway and a roll-up garage door opening onto a driveway and parking area. In order to let natural light and air into the space, the roll-up door is opened, revealing the gallery space to the public space outside.

View Looking Into Loft from Parking Area

View Looking out of Loft

As people drive or walk past, they see a sculpture of a large dragon that appears ready to leap out of the loft. Visitors who walk past or into the loft see all manner of giant sea creatures floating through the space and dragonflies hovering against the high ceiling. The size and multitude of luminescent and surreal forms creates a sense of being underwater or in an aquarium. In this case, the usual experience of an industrial loft is radically redefined by the art, making the art the main intervention in terms of defining a visitor's perception of the space.

Area: 3000 sq ft
Pros: Storage
Cons: Dust from nearby train yard

Progress

Progress - its the first word I hear lately from most people that look in on us while we build out our space. The majority of the light gauge steel framing is done. A good amount drywall is up, doors are hung, plumbing and electrical systems are up and operating. Unfortunately, the general aesthetic is still that of a construction zone. Materials are stacked against the wall, ready to be installed. Tools are arranged for easy access on temporary work surfaces. Extension cords suspended from sprinkler pipes provide temporary power to spaces where the electrical work has not been completed. 

Office bathroom has framing, plumbing, electricity

However, there is a sense of order that is becoming apparent. The walls that are up may not be completed yet, but they are starting to define the spaces that have been carved out of the cavernous expanses. It is becoming less difficult to visualize how the spaces will work - I am not having to describe what will be since the place is starting to speak for itself. It is my hope that eventually, the space will be so intuitive, that there will be no explanation whatsoever required. One will see, then they will know. We are definitely not at that stage yet. Images of the space may make one think that there is some sort of progress that has been accomplished, but the design is still in its infancy and it is still an abstract arrangement of partially completed construction. 

New wall defines kitchen, storage and workshop

New walls define laundry cubby and private bath

Since the overall look of the space is still very raw, we thought it would be a good time to start with a series of featured lofts. Raw urban spaces like the one we occupy that have been transformed into vibrant cleverly designed spaces. We aspire to reach the level that these spaces have attained and are inspired by their visual continuity and aesthetic appeal. So instead of showing you images of the construction debris and dust that currently occupies our space, we would like to show you what is possible when you have been granted the latitude to design in an urban loft. Check back in a couple of days to see our first featured space.