For the first time two of SoCal’s esteemed educational institutions are collaborating in a shared studio. The University of Southern California’s School of Architecture and ArtCenter College of Design are focusing the studio on another landmark, the Museum of Contemporary Art, designed by Arata Isozaki in DTLA. The project entails creating a multi-faceted design to animate MoCA’s plaza and Grand Avenue entry experience. Participants, 12 from each school, were selected for their intertwined passions comprising contemporary art, museum design, industry, architecture, and communication design.

Making this possible is Madworkshop. The foundation, established by architect David C. Martin and MoCA board member Mary Klaus Martin, is not only endowing the 2017-2018 project but the catalyst for it. In short, it is the brainchild of the Martins. Sofia Borges, the foundation’s director who led USC’s homeless mission, will oversee the endeavor. Philippe Vergne, the museum’s director, promises to be an involved client. Our Edie Cohen is a board member.

Here’s some of what the two teams will devise: a scale model of the newly designed spaces; schematic architectural and design drawings; a process storybook; a signage, environmental graphics, and artwork program; working prototypes with a focus on fabrication; and a video telling the story. Lively things happen when Madworkshop goes to school.