LOT-EK
SARA MELTZER gallery

a former parking garage is transformed into a space for art

type
completed

2000

location

Chelsea, NY

size

4,000 SF

client

Sara Meltzer

photography

Andrew Baldwin

awards

concept & vision

a ten-foot continuous white band overlaps the raw texture of the existing garage walls with its pristine super white surface, creating a pure exhibition layer distinct from the still-present previous parking structure

design & architecture

the white band folds around the garage cantilevered from the perimeter walls, floating in space without touching floor or ceiling. All corners of this new surface are rounded to enhance the flow of the white ribbon through the space. Cuts along its skin generate windows between spaces as well as fluorescent illuminated openings

program & use

at the entrance, the band acts as the gallery sign. Along the steel entry ramp, the band becomes a light fixture. At other points the band detaches itself from the walls to fold out and generate spaces for service functions (reception, offices and storage)

impact & significance

we layer, and celebrate the dialogue of these two different spaces and times, as a utilitarian industrial space transforms to welcome our cultural community. Our continuous band exploits and reveals its own very basic construction system of light metal studs and gypsum board; it totally transforms the space with its new layer while allowing the readability of its previous life

Dec 12, 2025

WE START WITH THE THINGS WE FIND

WE START WITH THE THINGS WE FIND