For San Francisco-based architecture practice Iwamoto Scott and digital/creative agency Obscura Digital, moving in together is leading to some interesting collaborations.

With a working team which can number from anywhere between 4 and 14 people, Iwamoto Scott has recently relocated from a small-ish loft to a 3 storey 3600sqm warehouse in San Francisco’s colourful Dogpatch district.

 

Voussoir Cloud – Installation by Iwamoto Scott

The firm is now sharing a self-designed space with Obscura Digital, a creative agency responsible for immersive environments and interactive displays, including their recent light projections in and on the Sydney Opera House as part of the YouTube Symphony Orchestra’s Grand Finale in March 2011.

 

 

“We designed the interior of this building with the idea of our offices all along being part of that space so that we can try to collaborate more,” says Craig Scott, Principal of Iwamoto Scott.

 

 

 

“They’re interested in the environment and we’re interested in immersive technologies so there is definitely an overlap there,” adds Lisa Iwamoto, Principal.

“One project we’ve started recently – it’s in the conceptual stages – is a moving mobile performance venue that’s looking like it might be inflatable,” says Scott.

“We’re working with the rap artist Mos Def. We’re using the technologies Obscura works with, and the design of the space is coming from our end.”

It was Iwamoto Scott’s existing collaborative relationship with Obscura Digital that opened up this new opportunity.

“Someone like that doesn’t come to an architect first,” says Iwamoto of their new client.

“They go to the people producing the technology first, so they’re going to someone like Obscura, and when it comes the actual physical armature is when we can get more involved.”

 

“Architects are so collaborative in the end,” Iwamoto adds.

“You’ve got your contractors, construction engineers, mechanical engineers, your cabinetmakers, lighting designers, landscape… and yet people tend to work in a very isolated manner.

“Collaboration can be more seamless if you’re sharing the same space.”

Iwamoto Scott
iwamotoscott.com

Obscura Digital
obscuradigital.com