IMAX Corporation,
Southern California Headquarters
Santa Monica, Calif.
HLW International

An old storage shed gives new life to a film company

© J. Scott Smith

For more photos click on 'photos & drawings' above. To see the people and products behind this project click on 'people & products.'

IMAX Corporation commissioned HLW to create a new corporate headquarters and production facility that would redefine the company as a serious player in the film industry.

The first step of this process—finding a 65,000 square-foot space—proved tricky since the client needed a space that could accommodate not only the heavy power, data, and HVAC requirements of a complete film production facility, but also could provide the thirty-foot ceiling height required for three screening rooms. Although HLW and the contractor felt confident they could design and erect a new headquarters within the client’s twelve-month schedule, the building department’s approval process for new construction would add at least another year. A simple remodel of a large, existing storage shed, however, would quickly move through the Building Department without any environmental analysis or extensive design review.

As defined by the Santa Monica building department, a simple remodel must maintain at least fifty percent of the existing exterior wall. The existing exterior wall of the old storage shed, however, consisted of dry rot and termite-damaged wood studs that were barely held together by the rusted exterior metal siding. Because of the practical importance of this wall, the project team conceived their design around it—this old perimeter wall wrapped the new program elements and held them together in a symbolic embrace.

The interior architecture supports and builds upon the design for the shell and core. The open office clerestory terminates at the stair towers, visually and spatially linking the components of the program. A double-height, skylit gallery space separates the screening room volume from the office areas. Production rooms are strategically located between the open office space and the controlled warehouse/film vault on the ground floor. Throughout the interior, the building’s structural steel is exposed, expressing the complete assembly of columns, beams, girders, and metal decking.

Formal name of Project:
IMAX Corporation, Southern California Headquarters

Location:
Santa Monica, Calif.

Gross square footage:
65,000 sq ft

Total construction cost:
$10 million

Owner:
Hines

Architect:
HLW International LLP
1630 Stewart Street, Suite 100
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Phone: 310-453-2800
Fax: 310-453-7020
www.hlw.com