242 State Street
Olson KundigLocated in downtown Los Altos, the highlight of this 2,500 square foot adaptive re-use project is the introduction of a new façade that enables the circa 1950’s building to morph from an enclosed structure into an environment that invites the community into the space.
The transformation was achieved by essentially replacing the entire front façade with a double-height, floor-to-ceiling window wall that can be raised or lowered depending upon the needs of the user. The window wall is operated by engaging a pedal—to unlock the safety mechanism— then turning a hand wheel which activates a series of gears and pulleys that opens the sixteen-foot by ten-foot, counterweighted two-thousand pound window wall. When the window wall is closed, visitors to the shop enter through a ten-foot-tall pivot door.
In addition to the front façade, other changes to the building included raising the roof by half-of-one story to create a better proportioned interior volume, and installing skylights to bring in more natural light.
Video: Bruce Damonte
Editing: Chris Burnside
Related Projects:
242 State Street
Play More
Inside a Modern Home With a Detachable Office on Wheels | Unique Spaces
The Fortress On Carbon Beach | Modern Malibu Mansion
An Architects Own Home Designed as a Tree House That Disappears Into the Landscape
Inside a Secret Garden House That Disappears Into Its Surrounding Nature
The Cortland
Bob Dylan Center
Olson Kundig places detachable studio on rail tracks in Washington State
Inside An Inventors Dream House with An Experimental Living Space
Shape of Water | Center for Wooden Boats
ICE CUBE | Seattle Design Festival – Teaser
A 28,000lb Door You can Lift with One Arm
The Burke Museum