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A Sleek Studio Emerges From a Cinderblock Warehouse
A plain pink box becomes a modern workspace and showroom that displays refined industrial-style design along with the company's creations
Pink isn't exactly Blake Tovin's favorite color, but something about this building caught his eye. The pink cinderblock warehouse was certainly eccentric, but he had a feeling that it was just the right spot for his company's new studio. Tovin, the founder and creative director of Symbol Audio, needed an affordable but spacious spot for his new line's workshop, showroom and office.
Tovin worked with architect Sebastian Quinn to turn this Nyack, New York, warehouse into the open, industrial and bright studio he envisioned. With Tovin as the general contractor, Quinn transformed the 3,000-square-foot space into a modern studio for just under $100 per square foot.
Tovin worked with architect Sebastian Quinn to turn this Nyack, New York, warehouse into the open, industrial and bright studio he envisioned. With Tovin as the general contractor, Quinn transformed the 3,000-square-foot space into a modern studio for just under $100 per square foot.
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by Symbol Audio
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| The new studio has two front entrances. One, which leads to the design studio, is less public and tucked behind a sheet of Cor-Ten metal. The other, which leads to the Symbol Audio showroom, is open to the street and combines a pedestrian door and a glass garage door. During events, the garage door can be opened to let the crowd flow onto the front patio. |
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by Symbol Audio
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| The layout inside is split symmetrically between the design studio on the right and the showroom on the left. Sliding pocket doors between the spaces allow them to be closed off from each other if necessary. This shot of the studio shows the Symbol Audio team's workspace and communal space. |
by Symbol Audio
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Letting light into the previously dark space was a priority. Four 12- by 8-foot "light scoops" (visible from the street level) were cut into the roof. Windows, glass doors and several glass walls let the flow of light continue without interruption.
by Symbol Audio
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This glass wall opens into one of the studio's offices, which shows some of Tovin's designs. Tovin has designed furniture and other products for more than 25 years, including pieces for Crate & Barrel, Restoration Hardware and EQ3. Symbol Audio is a new line of beautiful audio products he created with senior designer Matt Richmond and marketing director Joel Edmondson.
by Symbol Audio
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Tovin wanted his new studio to have a refined industrial feeling. Much of the original structural pieces were left exposed but were painted or finished.
The concrete floor was polished, the interior block walls were painted dark gray and sheet rock was painted a crisp white. The steel beams were left with their original red primer.
The concrete floor was polished, the interior block walls were painted dark gray and sheet rock was painted a crisp white. The steel beams were left with their original red primer.
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by Symbol Audio
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| A shot of the studio from the showroom provides a better glimpse of where the pocket doors divide the space. The showroom usually highlights furniture, artwork and sculptures, such as the piece in this photo. |
by Symbol Audio
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The back third of the building is devoted to the team's woodshop, storage and mechanics. A glass garage door on the back opens, allowing them to work outside in good weather.
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by Symbol Audio
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| BEFORE: A shot of the original building shows just how far it's come. Although it was a machine shop for many years, it was being used as a warehouse and store for furniture imported from Mexico when Tovin came across it. "The entire building was painted pink, and there was a steel sculpture of a gorilla on the roof," says Tovin. "It was hard to miss." |
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by Symbol Audio
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| DURING: The building's bones were solid and well built, but there were no windows or pieces of architectural interest on the interior. Tovin cut into this cinderblock box to embrace the sky. |
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by Symbol Audio
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| AFTER: Other than the basic bones, the new studio looks nothing like the original structure. Although Tovin wanted to maintain the cinderblock walls, insulation was an issue. Quinn covered the exterior of the cinderblock in rigid foam insulation to leave the interior walls as is, and then veneered the outside in Cor-Ten steel. The steel was left untreated, creating a warm, rusted effect. Photographs of finished building: François Dischinger |
Ideabook published on Aug. 14, 2012.
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