Roberts Projects by Johnston Marklee – A Contemporary Art Gallery in Los Angeles Revitalizing a 1940s Auto Showroom

 Architects: Johnston Marklee 

A Historic Structure Reimagined for the Arts

Roberts Projects, designed by Johnston Marklee, transforms a 1940s former automobile showroom in Los Angeles’ Mid-Wilshire district into a state-of-the-art contemporary art gallery. The original building, with its distinctive arched roof, has been carefully adapted to house an array of exhibition spaces that support the diverse scale and nature of contemporary artworks.

By blending historic architecture with modern spatial interventions, the project not only preserves the building’s heritage but also redefines it as a cultural landmark within Los Angeles’ dynamic arts scene.

Spatial Diversity for Artistic Freedom

The gallery unfolds through a variety of interconnected spaces, ranging from expansive day-lit halls capable of accommodating large-scale installations to intimate project rooms designed for smaller, experimental works.

A notable feature is a permanent niche conceived by renowned artist Betye Saar, offering a dedicated environment for site-specific and legacy pieces. This spatial flexibility enables the gallery to host diverse curatorial programs, from immersive installations to focused solo exhibitions.

Architectural Approach and Urban Integration

Johnston Marklee’s design emphasizes clarity of form and material restraint, allowing the art to remain the central focus. The building’s elemental façade reinterprets the original showroom’s massing while integrating it seamlessly into the cultural fabric of Los Angeles.

Located along the city’s interconnected urban boulevards, Roberts Projects is part of a larger network of art and design institutions, contributing to the Mid-Wilshire district’s reputation as a creative hub.

Lighting and Structural Innovations

The integration of Buro Happold’s lighting design ensures that both natural and artificial light enhance the viewing experience without overshadowing the artwork. Nous Engineering and Lewis Ross Associates played key roles in adapting the existing structure to meet the demands of a contemporary gallery while maintaining its architectural integrity.

Cultural Significance

Roberts Projects stands as a testament to adaptive reuse in architecture, demonstrating how historic commercial spaces can be transformed into vibrant cultural venues. The project not only preserves an important piece of Los Angeles’ architectural history but also amplifies the city’s role in global contemporary art discourse.

All photographs are works of Eric Staudenmaier