Los Angeles Warehouse Reimagined into Light-Filled Tutoring Center

When 9 Dots executive director Josh Taylor was seeking a team to redesign the industrial space that housed his Los Angeles STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education center for kids, he considered some of the places he liked visiting most.

“I love the feel of the restaurants Superba and Nong La," Taylor says. “I go to both often and decided that I wanted the architect who built out those spaces to work on 9 Dots."

The architects behind these quirky, yet comfortable, Los Angeles eateries turned out to be locals Catherine Johnson and Rebecca Rudolph, co-founders and principals of the firm Design, Bitches. Known for embracing color, pattern, and texture, the duo established their practice in 2010 and have since worked with brands like Counter Culture Coffee, Whole Foods, and Rag & Bone. In redesigning 9 Dots, the duo did not disappoint.

Faced with an open-plan, 11,000-square-foot former warehouse and detached gymnasium, Johnson and Rudolph opted to introduce freestanding plywood volumes into the spaces to create areas of intimacy and comfort for the organization's various activities like teacher trainings, workshops, community classes, and after school programs. These classrooms and offices provide “varying degrees of privacy and interconnectedness between students and staff," according to the firm, without compromising the aesthetics of the existing vaulted Douglas fir ceiling or the available natural light.

The new design also prioritizes interactive areas including space for pin-ups, whiteboards, and computer stations.

“We maintained the integrity and feel of the vintage structures while adding new spaces that accommodate a shifting and expanding program, creating a welcoming workspace for adults and students alike," Rudolph says.

Custom wood furniture and built-ins further help to subdivide the layout, with areas for reading, desk work, and a maker space. Meanwhile, pops of navy, yellow, and teal create a cohesive, playful environment for the 100-plus students who visit weekly.

“We chose teal and yellow to add warmth and depth to the space, playing off a primary color palette tweaked to accentuate and contrast with the beautiful patina of the existing roof framing," Rudolph explains.

According to Taylor, the updates have improved the experience for students and staff alike.

“For students, the space is significantly more joyful and it allows to them to have a variety of learning experiences as they move between classrooms and open spaces," he says. “For the staff, the space has enabled more versatility in styles of work. Staff flow seamlessly from working at their desks, to having discussions in meeting rooms, to having large meetings in conference rooms."