Snarkitecture has recently designed the new space for leading contemporary art gallery, Library Street Collective. The new flagship gallery is located in downtown Detroit in The Belt – a once deserted alleyway, which over the last 5 years, has been transformed into a cultural hub with ongoing public arts programming, largely thanks for the efforts of Library Street Collective founders, JJ and Anthony Curis.
In addition to this being Snarkitecture’s first free-standing gallery, the project marks Snarkitecture’s second collaboration with Library Street Collective (read about the first here), which made this opportunity especially exciting. Currently open by appointment, Library Street Collective is presenting Light, a series of new works by Sam Friedman and curated by KAWS.
The new gallery is located inside on the ground floor of the historic L.B. King and Company building. Using the original brick exterior, the design team sculpted a facade that opens into the building. This subtle intervention creates both a portal into the gallery, as well as a public art moment that contributes to the programming along The Belt.
Mosaic tiled flooring and a custom reception desk offer a layer of depth within the monochrome space. Meanwhile, cove lighting around the perimeter, along with a central halo light creates an even diffusion of light across the space for the exhibition of artworks.
From inside the gallery, the facade installation creates an arrangement of bricks that appear to cantilever into the space. In addition to allowing natural light to flood the galley, the excavated brick forms offer an interesting contrast to the refined interior.
Flexibility was an important priority, so the display wall at the back of the gallery offers exhibition space and provides a partition for the library, office or a private viewing area for clients. Snarkitecture designed custom oak shelving with integrated lighting and a sliding ladder for this space.
