Abstract. We study functorial properties of the spaces R(X) , which have been recently introduced as a central tool in the analysis of the Hardy operator minus the identity on decreasing functions. In particular, we provide conditions on a minimal Lorentz space Λ ϕ so that the equation R(X) = Λ ϕ has a solution within the category of rearrangement invariant (r.i.) spaces. Moreover, we show that if R(X) = Λ ϕ , then we can always take X to be the minimal r.i. Banach range space for the Hardy operator defined in Λ ϕ .Mathematics subject classification (2010): 26D10, 46E30.