A journey through the opening of Devil Mask Studio.
Nestled in the Historic Core of Downtown Los Angeles, amongst the storied movie palaces on Broadway, the location of the new Devil Mask Studio has a rich history dating back nearly a century. This backdrop makes for the perfect opportunity for a Shibari studio that blends tradition with innovation and comfort.
The History of the Location
Devil Mask Studio is proud to call the Broadway Arts Tower home. Constructed in 1928, it housed the Schulte Department store for 40 years. The store hosted both shopping and a 125-seat cafeteria. Sadly, the company went bankrupt in the late 1960s, leaving the bulk of the building vacant for over 40 years.
The property was purchased in 2012 and had a $2 million transformation, including a new name. The new owners had seen success with the Spring Arts Tower, home to The Last Book Store and The Crocker Club. It was that commitment to the arts that made a great match for the opening of our studio.
Renovations
The unit we fell in love with was previously production offices. The combination of the wall of east facing windows, the tile ceilings and the original hardwood floors were ideal. Due to the building retrofit for earthquake safety and the needs of the studio, significant attention was placed into the renovation designs.
The floors were sanded completely and refinished. Earthquake retrofit tripping and injury hazards were covered by custom benching and risers. We collaborated with an engineer and our general contractor to create a custom suspension truss capable of as many as 15 single suspension points.
Collaborators
The renovation of the space was primarily facilitated by Aron Gambino of Gambino Construction in Tujunga, CA. Aron is a Shibari enthusiast who brought his understanding of the craft to the design and execution of our renovation. From his innovative design work, to his creative material recommendation, Aron has put an indelible stamp on the look and feel of Devil Mask Studio.
In addition to the fabulous work with Aron, the studio collaborated with D. Love at Tallworks for our branding, logo, and website. D was able to synthesize the aesthetic ideas we had into a coherent and compelling approach to not only our website, but the presence of the studio in all digital and physical spaces.
Finally, in order to ensure the privacy of all the visitors to the studio, we worked with Dan Boer for custom door and window frosting. Dan helped us maintain the beautiful interior light of our entry, while safeguarding the privacy of our staff and patrons.