Los Angeles, California

Rise Academy of Dance approached Ponce Architecture to create a conceptual design proposal for their expanding dance studio. The client sought a vision for the space that would reflect their mission to nurture students' artistry while maintaining a strong focus on technique and training. They asked us to draw inspiration from the fluidity and grace of dance while ensuring that the design also provided order and visibility within the constraints of a strip mall storefront in Los Angeles.

The existing storefront featured an irregular polygon-shaped interior. By carefully analyzing the floor plan and drawing upon design principles often associated with dance, we developed a spatial ordering system. Techniques such as mirroring, projection, and reflection were employed to create a “choreographed” interior, resulting in a seamless relationship between the lobby, studio, and the program's users.

Light filters through the lobby, illuminating an undulating, acoustically treated wall system that extends throughout the dance studio. Much like the folds of a theater curtain, the wall’s curves frame the reflected performance, capturing the essence of movement in one continuous gesture.