RENEWED ROMANTICS 3.

The time has come for our third and final chapter of “Renewed Romantics.” Over the past two months we have explored themes of self expression, life cycles, and the mystery of nature. Now, we’re ready to see it come to fruition in a very real way. Though this concept seems to emerge in nearly every space we touch, no project embodies it quite like Evoke, our Andersonville tattoo studio.

It should come as no surprise that we’ve got a thing for tattoos here at GG. Though each of us gravitates toward a different style (think everything from a tessellated flower to the Morton Salt Girl), we’re all attracted to them for the same reason: their permanence. There is a romance to adorning the body, a forever evolving canvas, with an immutable image. It transcends time.

It is the same feeling that draws us to architecture. When we see a building, we don’t just see a space. We see a piece of art, an experiment in functionality, or an ode to culture. Every one is a monument by us, for us, designed to outlast us. They absorb the stories of one generation and teach them to the next through the scuffs on their floors and cracks on their walls. We’re just a blip in that ongoing cycle. We have the good fortune to live, work, and learn in these spaces for a moment, but their existence extends far beyond us.

It’s a tale as old as time, one the romantics defined best: the more we try to control a force larger than ourselves (nature, civilization, our own history), the less in control we become. So why are we still so eager to tear down start fresh? As designers, could we prioritize stewardship over destruction, iteration over invention? What would happen if we treated our spaces as living memorials rather than clean slates?

That is our goal when presented with a meaningful space. We take the time to collaborate with it, not control it. Our job is to honor its tales of the past, preserve its integrity for the future, and build its connection with the lucky few who spend their lives in it today. When someone walks its halls, we want them to feel like part of a bigger picture. To make that a reality requires some heavy research. Good thing we kind of like that over here (if you couldn’t already tell from this crazed blog). Whether it is tracking down the lineage of prior owners or analyzing the waste output from construction, we leave no past, present or future rock unturned.

Today’s project is all of that and more. This Andersonville gem is steeped in a rich history so near and dear to our own team. A once iconic drag club and fixture in the queer community, this building is the epitome of creative expression. Its legacy of passion, mystique, and individuality all remain as we worked with Evoke to usher it into a new era, and hopefully far beyond.

We present to you “Renewed Romantics” through the lens of our “Cherry Bomb” project. Below we see how this tattoo studio celebrates the many phases of a buildings life through veiled spaces, exaggerated details, and celebratory embellishments.

VEILED

As is always true with history, we will never know the whole truth. To amplify the mystery of what was, or what could have been, we embrace materials that strategically hide and reveal key aspects the building. Simply changing the position, thickness or lighting of a material alters the space’s story completely. From perforated solids to semi-transparent sheaths, we test the limits of obscurity and visibility.

PARTITIONS

The tattoo stations epitomize a hide and reveal approach. Perforated metal partitions strategically divide each artist’s workspace. Though the bulk of the screen conceals visual noise to cocoon clients, decorative cutouts occasionally reveal a sea of patterns that lie behind. Based on location, the surroundings come in and out of focus. The end sensation is an ebb and flow between control and chaos, privacy and togetherness.

PEARLS

The bathroom considers veiling through a different lens. Rather than rely on position to catch a reveal, here we opt for light. Mother of pearl acts as a cloak in flux, adopting opaque to translucent properties as its light source transforms. What may feel like a static sculpture one moment dissipates to expose a warm glow the next, shifting the visibility of the entire space with it.

EXAGGERATED

The present day is a minefield of distractions. In an exercise of clarity, we minimize the many to amplify the one. Through high contrast combinations of hue, shape and scale, we trick the eye into ignoring clutter and gravitating toward a singular, architecturally significant focal point. From color soaked surfaces to centered symbols, we experiment with the need for lucidity.

ARCHES

The entryway is a prime example of downplaying to highlight. While most of the space is dedicated to tailored nooks and micro experiences, the entry acts as a unifying statement. To tamp down on the expanse of details, we drench intricate molding, decorative paneling, and vintage furnishings in a rich black-charcoal. Amongst the sweep of darkness emerges a standout architectural feature spanning the space: creamy twin arches.

ARCS

This work station takes the opposite approach. While the prior dulls details to emphasize architecture, this area mutes architecture to highlight one detail. Living at the end of a hallway, this miniature set up could be easily overlooked. In fact, its most precious detail, a slim cathedral-esque window, was once buried in the wall and lost to history. By treating the surrounding architectural cues with a coat of alabaster paint, this black-framed gem becomes a focal point, drawing you down the hall for a closer look.

CELEBRATED

The future is inextricably linked with aging. Thrilling to some, terrifying to others, the act of maturing is often met with opposing mentalities. To play up this juxtaposition we meticulously preserve certain components while allowing others to age gracefully. This subtle shift in approach builds a beautifully quiet tension from every angle. From perfect replicas to raw finishes, we blur the lines of old and new.

TRIM

The ceiling experiments with future proofed perfection. Through careful study and craft (thanks to the team at Evoke), the crumbling remains of ceiling trim we inherited with the space are seamlessly brought back to glory. The gothic patterns and handcrafted construction perfectly mimic the original design, so much so that it is near impossible to distinguish the old from the new.

GILDING

The reception area explores a different approach to aging. Rather than resist wear and tear, it embraces time’s impressions. The sconce’s unlacquered brass absorbs every touch and reflects those interactions back through an evolving patina. The result is a kind of living document. It traces daily life in the space, inviting future generations to imagine the stories that produced its blemishes.

WHAT NEXT?

Though we’ll continue to share our “Renewed Romantics” creations with you, this is the end of its journey on our blog. Next quarter we dive into a new concept. Any ideas what it may be? Share your suggestions and guesses here. We’ll see you soon…