For their new studio space GLAVOVIC STUDIO adapted a 1964 two-floor commercial space built by Robert E. Hall for the Delle Academy of Dance located at 511 NE 3rd Avenue in the cultural hub of Fort Lauderdale, Flagler Village. The move coincides with GLAVOVIC STUDIO’S 20-year anniversary, representing a milestone of innovative architecture practice in South Florida. The dynamism characteristic of the organization will infuse the new space, as it becomes a confluence of art, design, and community through planned and unplanned events bringing people together for dialogue and exchange, showcasing the studio’s values of innovation and inclusivity.

 Founder and Director of Design, Margi G. Nothard committed to maintaining the Florida HQ in Flagler Village. Energized by the area’s continued urban renewal, she considered urban infill and adaptive use as the appropriate response to maintaining the character of the neighborhood with a revived building, when looking for new digs for the studio.  “The renovation should be exciting, be sustainable, should be a place where people can gather, speak to the issues we care about and should be a part of the community we have worked with for the past twenty years to make a difference to.”

 The project’s architecture explores the phenomenal qualities of Florida light and landscape as tools for abstraction of surface and volume, ensuring an otherwise non-descript building is rendered visible and intriguing.  The interior counterpoint to the strong exterior geometry, is a series of carved out negative spaces with exposed structure, masonry, and outdoor and indoor links.

 The project unfolds in two phases: Phase01, now completed, focused on the existing building and Phase02 develops the west lot as a neighborhood hospitality and cultural destination space, designed with repurposed shipping containers. GLAVOVIC STUDIO occupies 2,500 square feet in the two-story renovated structure, with 1,500 square feet allotted to AQUI BAR and 1,000 square feet allotted to additional studio space. NE 3rd Avenue is activated with entrances to the first-floor studio, AQUI BAR and the second-floor studio. GLAVOVIC STUDIO’s main entrance off NE 3rd Avenue is a double story space. The studio is conceived as a gallery and workspace with large sliding adjustable walls to provide formal and informal exhibition spaces, moderating the public space for the constant exchange of ideas. New large windows have been carved out of the existing building, providing more natural light. There are also multiple added respite areas, both indoor and outdoor, with two balconies on the east and west side. These provide overhangs for the spaces below and outdoor seating areas for the studio above. These respite spaces include landscape elements, areas for digital projection, and space to meet and greet. Landscape in large pots within the space above and below is used as a connecting device and provides a shaded canopy on the west, and a large courtyard below links the east and west sides of the lot.  A break area includes a large pass-through window for cooking events, programming for art and culture nights, continuing the tradition of GS TALKS + GS EXHIBITIONS, a lecture and event series started over a decade ago.

 Phase02, on the west side is in the works, AQUI YARDS, a two story, outdoor repurposed shipping container food and art park filled with vibrant craft bars, bites, music, and art in a landscaped setting. This pioneering urban space will be programmed both day and night establishing as a destination for locals to spend time with family, friends, and furry companions. Landscape, Art, and Artists are key components to the development of both phases and are thoughtfully integrated into the projects.

 For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Marketing Manager, Wanda Dye at wdye@glavovicstudio.com. To learn more about our work visit www.glavovicstudio.com, and for updates on our ongoing projects, news and events follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook or send a request to join our email list. Photography by Robin Hill.