242 State Street / Olson Kundig

242 State Street / Olson Kundig - Image 2 of 27242 State Street / Olson Kundig - Facade, Windows242 State Street / Olson Kundig - Handrail242 State Street / Olson Kundig - Image 5 of 27242 State Street / Olson Kundig - More Images+ 22

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Text description provided by the architects. Located in downtown Los Altos, the highlight of this 2,500 square foot adaptive re-use project is the introduction of a new façade that enables the circa 1950’s building to morph from an enclosed structure into an environment that invites the community into the space.

Section. © Olson Kundig
Main Level Plan. © Olson Kundig

The transformation was achieved by essentially replacing the entire front façade with a double-height, floor-to-ceiling window wall that can be raised or lowered depending upon the needs of the user.

242 State Street / Olson Kundig - Image 13 of 27
Courtesy of Olson Kundig. Image © Bruce Damonte

The window wall is operated by engaging a pedal—to unlock the safety mechanism— then turning a hand wheel which activates a series of gears and pulleys that opens the sixteen-foot by ten-foot, counterweighted two-thousand pound window wall. When the window wall is closed, visitors to the shop enter through a ten-foot-tall pivot door.

242 State Street / Olson Kundig - Image 22 of 27
Courtesy of Olson Kundig. Image © Bruce Damonte

In addition to the front façade, other changes to the building included raising the roof by half-of-one story to create a better proportioned interior volume, and installing skylights to bring in more natural light. The building most recently served as one of the temporary off-site locations for SF MoMA’s Project Los Altos.

242 State Street / Olson Kundig - Image 14 of 27
Courtesy of Olson Kundig. Image © Bruce Damonte

Beyond the introduction of the window wall, the interior was relatively untouched, leaving the space as flexible as possible for its future tenant.

242 State Street / Olson Kundig - Facade
Courtesy of Olson Kundig. Image © Bruce Damonte

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Project location

Address:242 State Street, Los Altos, CA 94022, United States

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "242 State Street / Olson Kundig" 24 Mar 2014. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/489035/242-state-street-tom-kundig-olson-kundig-architects-2> ISSN 0719-8884

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