Lino Tagliapietra Glass Studio, Seattle
Retrofit Team
Architect, Interior Designer and Lighting Designer: Graham Baba Architects, Seattle
Structural Engineer: Degenkolb Engineers, Seattle
Design-build Mechanical Engineer: Premier Mechanical, Bothell, Wash.
Design-build Electrical Engineer: Pinnacle Electric, Redmond, Wash., (206) 546-1332
General Contractor: Dovetail, Seattle
Materials
The entry is defined by a large wood and steel door that incorporates a modest illuminated cut-steel sign announcing the venue. Inside, the entry opens onto a sloping interior ramp that parallels the studio, which is essentially one large, 6,100-square-foot space. The brick interior has been painted matte gray while floors are made with a subtly bleached white oak. Overhead, a 16-foot-wide by 45-foot-long light monitor floats above the center of the space. Translucent clerestory glazing brings daylight into the space. The underside of the monitor features a curved soffit that softly shapes the daylight that fills the space. The client refers to the light-filled space created by the monitor as the cube. The cube serves as an illuminated volume in which to hang large collections of glass pieces or to feature tall works. Indirect light sources inset into the monitor provide dramatic lighting in the evening. Custom-designed Europly cabinetry and hot-rolled steel and Europly furniture fit out the spaces. The conference table is built from fir beams reclaimed from the building construction. Elemental steel display stands of various heights and steel wall and ceiling mounts support the art.
Wood and Steel Door and Cut-steel Sign: Custom by Dovetail
Paint: Sherwin-Williams
White-oak Floors: Garrison Collection
Light-monitor and Clerestory Glazing: Arcadia Inc.
Electric Lighting: EcoSense Lighting
The Retrofit
Located in a downtown Seattle neighborhood, the studio is dedicated to the display of Lino Tagliapietra’s glass art. Tagliapietra’s work explores the limits of glass—its form, texture and color. In response to the drama of his work, the space itself becomes an exercise in restraint, a quiet armature and environment in which art becomes the focal point.
Most recently serving as home to an auction company, the studio occupies a 1917, 1-story, masonry and heavy-timber-framed warehouse building, which presents a quiet presence to its urban setting. Support spaces, including a glass-fronted office and conference room, restrooms, kitchenette and storage, round out the functions on the main floor.
Photos: Graham Baba Architects