Frank Gehry’s Danziger Studio and Residence is transformed into design gallery

Photographer Angela Hau takes us behind the scenes at Hollywood’s Seventh House gallery, located in Frank Gehry's 1965 building and specialising in early 20th century, postmodern and contemporary design

Seventh House Gallery interior within Frank Gehry's Danziger Studio and Residences
The interiors of Seventh House gallery, set within Frank Gehry’s Danziger Studio and Residence. Left, ‘Puff’ chairs in reclaimed oak and alpaca wool by Studio Giancarlo Valle, 2021. Right, ‘Bo-Ex’ daybed, 1962, by Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm and glass table by Courtney Applebaum, 2021
(Image credit: Angela Hau)

Hollywood’s Seventh House gallery opened in 2021 within the spaces of Frank Gehry’s Danziger Studio and Residence. A design gallery dedicated to early 20th century, postmodern and contemporary design, it made itself right at home in the cubic building.

Started as an off-project of nearby Galerie Half, a Melrose Avenue gallery specialising in antiques and early 20th-century furniture, Seventh House gallery features a more modern interpretation of design, mixing earlier examples of modernism with pieces from the 1980s and 1990s, as well as contemporary design.

Seventh house gallery bedroom by Green River Project LLC

Bed by Green River Project LLC

(Image credit: Angela Hau)

Conceived like a house, the gallery’s interiors are curated to be in dialogue with Gehry’s original architectural features. Described as ‘an understated token of early Gehry architecture’, Danziger Studio and Residences is located at the intersection of Melrose Avenue with North Orange Drive, and appears as two offset grey cubes with a stucco façade. Designed in 1965 and commissioned by graphic designer Louis Danziger, the building explored some of the themes that would later recur in the architect’s work, including material exploration and the intersection between aesthetics and sustainability.

Danziger Studio interior

‘Ahmedabad Stools’ by Le Corbusier

(Image credit: Angela Hau)

Inside, the airy structure is defined by exposed ceiling beams and tall windows, giving the space a distinct lightness. The interiors of the historic landmark were kept as a home, with each room maintaining its original function and at the same time displaying modern works by the likes of Maria Pergay, Enzo Mari and Le Corbusier. These are complemented by contemporary pieces by American designers Courtney Applebaum and Giancarlo Valle, while New York-based Green River Project LLC has created sculptural bedroom furniture among other pieces. In the compact courtyard, designs include Gae Aulenti’s legendary poolside furniture as well as 1950s lounge seats by Walter Lamb. 

The house's architecture means Seventh House gallery is completely insulated from the busy streets outside, and makes it a peaceful, quiet design escape in the city.

Outdoor furniture by Gae Aulenti from La Piscine Movie

(Image credit: Angela Hau)

Detail of bed at Seventh House Gallery

Detail of masonite bed by Green River Project LLC

(Image credit: Angela Hau)

View of Danziger Studio and Residences interiors from first floor

View from the first floor. On the left, Ahmedabad console desk by BV Doshi and Le Corbusier, 1960. On the right, Flying Carpet daybed by Maria Pergay, 1968

(Image credit: Angela Hau)

Danziger Studios interiors

Emme daybed by Enzo Mari, 1974, Tem pedestal by Atelier Viollet, 2021

(Image credit: Angela Hau)

Jane coffee table in stoneware and zinc

Jane coffee table in stoneware and zinc, by Studio Giancarlo Valle, 2021, Apis bench by Atelier Viollet, 2021

(Image credit: Angela Hau)

Bedroom in Danziger Studio and Residences

Danish sofa from the 1940s in the bedroom

(Image credit: Angela Hau)

INFORMATION

seventhhouse.la

ADDRESS

7001 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles CA
90038

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Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.

With contributions from