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ecology of absence Posted June 13, 2006 The interior of the Dorsa Building is a cavernous modern wonderland. There are few right angles in the space that Meyer Loomstein designed as the showroom for the Dorsa dress line. On the first level, the space is divided into two portions: a front lobby, accessible from Washingtion, with a large central open area flanked by offices that open to it. Through an opening at the rear wall of this space, one enters a fantastic auditorium consisting of terraced seating descending along with a curving staircase that leads down to a small stage. Curves are everywhere -- in walls, the taper of columns, ceiling insets and in the shape of the stage itself. Plaster on metal lathe is the basic material used to mold the streamline spaces here. Terrazzo floors and stylized doors heighten the appearance. Color once was essential to the presentation of the space, but later alterations not doubt altered the original palatte. The auditorium was used for fashion shows for many years. The Dorsa company unveilied its new lines here, and also turned over the space to student designers from Washington University. Alas, there is no definite future for the space even though the building is being renovated by the Pyramid Companies. Pyramid is leasing the space to a commercial tenant, and favors preservation. However, ultimately the choice to preserve the space will be passed to whomever leases this space. Needless to say, the space is the only large-scale intact Art Moderne interior in downtown St. Louis, and one of a handful ever created there. Its preservation would guarantee that the city would retain a space like no other. The uncertainty points the need for redefining local, state and national preservation standards to give non-church interiors protection equal to that of exteriors. Not all lobbies and auditoriums deserve such protection, of course -- but if any does, it is this space. We thank Paul Hohmann of Pyramid Architects for giving us a tour of the interior.
Lobby/Showroom
Auditorium
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