A Thoroughly Modern Take on 1907 Depot Building

Fifteen days and counting before the Southern California Institute of Architecture moves into its new home--a former freight depot on the eastern edge of downtown Los Angeles. Since leaving its Marina del Rey campus last fall, the 19-year-old SCI-Arc has been temporarily headquartered in a tent and about 11 trailers in an open lot adjacent to the depot, at the juncture of E. 4th and Merrick streets, adjacent to Little Tokyo.

A lot of dust from the construction work is still being kicked up on the school’s 21/2-acre plot, but that minor inconvenience should be over for the most part when the school moves from its makeshift quarters into its new home Aug. 24.

Neil M. Denari, the school’s director, can see the made-over building from his temporary office in one of the trailers; he says that while it may be new to SCI-Arc, the 82,000-square-foot framework was built in 1907 and extends a quarter-mile long. (To picture the length, turn the Empire State Building on its side.) Deciding how to adapt it to house the cutting-edge architecture school meant being sensitive to the original design, while still being innovative.

“We are not trying to produce a quaintness or old-timey-ness,” Denari said of the concrete shell’s new innards. “The rest of the construction will be modern.” The project’s architect, Gary Paige of GPS Studio, is a SCI-Arc alumni and faculty member.

The freight depot building has been updated with steel walls facing east to reduce noise from the traffic on Santa Fe Avenue and floor-to-ceiling windows facing west.

Fresh cement was poured for flooring. Interior walls are “hollow”--made from translucent plastic that is honeycombed inside to allow filtered light to pass through but still provide privacy.

“It’s a mix of the old and new in L.A.,” Denari said. “I think we’ll see greater value placed on existing buildings and how they relate to the new in architecture, and this site will be the most important one in that relationship.”

The move downtown has brought new work to the school, Denari said, referring to an invitation from a city architect to do a study of the Hyperion Water Treatment plant in El Segundo.

“The school is being engaged already by city architects to help explore new solutions for old problems. This is to help the city make everyday life better. This is a sign of what our engagement can be since we moved downtown.”

Make reservations now for November. No, not to dine out but to feast on tabletop decor. The Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids will once again produce “Dining by Design,” which has proved to be a money-maker for the organization across the country for five years.

“Dining by Design” will be on public view Nov. 3-4, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport. Tickets are $20 per person. The event will finish off Nov. 5 with a fund-raising gala affair where designers will get to sit down at their showcase tables.

Most of the tables--each 11- foot-square--will be decorated by L.A.-based interior, fashion and set designers and architects. Some major fashion companies such as Ralph Lauren and Nautica will participate in the L.A. event as well.

David Sheppard, executive director of DIFFA, said, “It is really amazing that you can give creative people the same amount of square footage, put all of them in the room and the competition begins.” He said that one year an artist made a tabletop centerpiece of a volcano that erupted every 20 minutes. “With all the talent--and the diversity of the talent--in L.A., it is going to be exceptional.”

In addition, products donated by manufacturers, including fabric bolts and unique pieces such as a Murano glass vase by Donghia , can be purchased at wholesale prices during the two-day event. For information, call (310) 652-6601.

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Times staff writer Candace Wedlan can be reached at candace.wedlan@latimes.com.