client:    ArtCenter College of Design

type:    educational

location:    Pasadena, California

size:    2,400 sq ft

status:    built

team:    darin johnstone, sandra hutchings, rob ettenger, matt liese, jesus guerrero

consultants:    john a. martin and associates, luminesce design

project manager:    gkk works

general contractor:    halsted construction

photo credit:    joshua white / jwpictures.com

darin johnstone architects

ArtCenter

HMCT

November 2015

“As the Digital Age continues to increase our interaction with screens, typography, which has always been a core element of graphic design, has become increasingly vital to our visual culture. Consequently, Art Center developed a plan to become a central and influential force in this burgeoning field by providing a dedicated space to advance the research, teaching and understanding of letter form design and typography. To that end, in 2015, the College founded the Hoffmitz Milken Center for Typography (HMCT) in memory of Professor Leah Hoffmitz Milken, a well-known typographer, letter form designer and esteemed Art Center faculty member. HMCT was designed to become home and a catalyst for the enhanced study of typography and letter form design.”

Art Center College of Design

The program consists of gallery, workshops, archives, conference area, offices and support spaces. The project located in the modest footprint of the former print making studio in the 950 South Raymond Avenue building needed to function as forum, lab, research center and think-tank. The production and display of letter form across scales and mediums became the primary driver for the design organization along with formal operations deployed to create new visual connections and display opportunities.