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From “How an Artist Converted a 13,000 Sq Ft NYC Warehouse into his Home” by Joshua Charow

Ray Smith's Brooklyn warehouse studio and home

A warehouse that became a church, a home and a studio.

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Key points

Ray Smith bought the 13,000 sq ft warehouse in 2000 on the same evening he first viewed it, after recognising the building from the night he had heard organ music nearby. 4:51
The warehouse was in poor shape when he bought it, used as a drug den with mattresses and human waste, so he hired a crew of recovering addicts led by Edwin Salas to clean it up. 7:17
Hurricane Sandy flooded the studio with about 6 feet of water, damaging over 250 artworks, which floated for about 3 days before the burned, black remains were accepted as part of the work. 8:46
Ray Smith's path to the warehouse began with failing to make a living as an artist in New York in 1978, then reusing an abandoned Mexico City building that was lost in the 1985 earthquake. 1:35
Ray Smith says developers offered to turn the building into an event space while keeping 50% of the revenue, and he declined, arguing the space had already developed into a home and venue on its own. 12:49

In order

1. A building like a church — Smith introduces the warehouse as the place that holds his whole life, before the walk-through begins. 0:01
2. Mexico City, New York and the abandoned building — Smith recounts his path from Mexico City to New York in the 1970s, a failed attempt to stay in SoHo, and renting a derelict restaurant in Mexico City. 0:22
3. Tour of the Gowanus neighbourhood — Smith shows the studio's lift and describes the Gowanus Canal's history, from marshes to industrial waste to a Superfund site, and an organ tuner who once worked nearby. 3:09
4. Sandy flood and burnt artworks — Hurricane Sandy flooded the space with about 6 ft of water, damaging over 250 artworks, some of which were later burned and kept for their look. 7:52
5. Artists and rising rents — Smith reflects on New York's artists being priced out and on developers' offers to turn the building into an event space, which he declines. 11:08
6. Living in the studio — Smith says he would rather live in the studio than sell it, describing it as the bliss of the abyss. 13:38

The argument, point by point

Smith says the building feels like a church and represents his whole life. 0:01
Smith bought the warehouse the same evening he first saw it in 2000. 7:00
Hurricane Sandy flooded the studio with about 6 ft of water and damaged over 250 artworks. 9:12
Smith says developers offered to turn the building into an event space and keep half the profits, which he refused. 12:49
Smith says he has no reason to leave and prefers living in the studio to selling it. 13:53

Things to notice on the floor

Dog in Smith's arms — Smith holds a small golden chihuahua-type dog on his lap while speaking.
Disco-ball and hanging sculptures — Smith sits on a stool beneath mirrored disco balls and hanging wood-and-plaster forms.
Rear view of Smith walking — Smith is seen from behind walking through a dim corridor lined with framed works.

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