A gut renovation of a forlorn warehouse, Spot Lite is a joyful spark in Detroit’s reemerging Islandview neighborhood. Programmed and designed for flexibility from 10am to 2am, the multi-use commercial space morphs each day between community cafe, local record shop, remote office, music venue, art gallery, dance party, and event space. The 7,900 square foot building was reconfigured to enhance the flow and create an open framework for collaborations with local artisans and fabricators. Fitting within Iannuzzi Studio’s framework, the owners commissioned the fabrication of key interior elements: the bar, sculptural bathroom mirrors, DJ booth, and record shop shelves.

The experience of the space is amplified by the diversity of voices that contributed to its creation, much like the multi-disciplinary and industry activities happening throughout the day. In a creative solution to an occupancy restriction, three monumental overhead doors act as an organizing threshold between the bar space and the gallery space and will close automatically in the event of a fire. As a welcoming, open-minded, and safe space, one of the major challenges was securing approval for gender-neutral bathroom layouts. The project also features two massive skylights that flood the space with natural light and an activated alley with a variety of outdoor seating and site-specific artwork by local artists.