Koch Gallery
49 Geary St.: San Francisco, CA

A need for spatial options in exhibiting photographic work sets the tone for the design of the Robert Koch Gallery. From an obsolete office, existing walls and suspended ceilings were removed and the entire interior space was designed to accommodate vintage as well as modern print exhibitions requiring environmental and total lighting controls. The natural light from the overhead skylights is controlled by retractable shades. Artificial lighting is laid out with a track system of quartz halogen lights. A photography collector can find major exhibits in the main gallery space. An adjacent smaller gallery has a custom designed movable wall on a side wall track, which can divide the space into two smaller galleries. A custom designed rolling ladder and a full height bookshelf system with translucent glass doors enclosing storage cabinets were constructed for a rare photography book collection. A custom designed reception desk provides an enclosed workspace for staff and becomes the focal point for visual surveillance of the entire gallery space.