The Writer’s Block is a creative nook designed within an existing adaptive re-use building in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles. The space was purchased by a writer-game designer couple who needed a space for collaboration and production within an urban yet isolated environment. With both clients sharing overlapping interests in fantasy environments: the wife a NYTimes bestselling author, and the husband, a game designer, we took our design inspiration from the world of online gaming.

Our focus involved primarily creating a compact urban oasis. Their schedules involve a lot of travel, particularly book and publishing related, therefore the need for this space was to provide a few days of solitude and creative inspiration at the same time.

Taking cues from their work and interests, our design took inspiration from the Escher-like geometries of the popular game Monument Valley. The central element of fixed millwork functions as both spatial separation and furniture. A writing desk on one face, and a lounge on the other. The graffiti, finishes and furniture interconnect around this central device. We nicknamed it the Writer’s Block.

Location

Arts District, Los Angeles, California

Year Completed

2016