Project Data:

Completion Date:     7/15/2020

Square Footage:      21900

Building Use:           Galleries/Banquet Hall/Offices

Design Architect:      Bahram Zarin-afsar, AIA, NCARB

Project Description:

Project: 5965 West Washington Blvd. Culver City

Renovation and adaptive reuse of a 1975 two-story Type V stucco office building. The challenge of this adaptive reuse was to design areas, of unique high ceiling open space, for gallery and gala functions on the third level; And an open plan office on the first and second floors with the intention of creating a transparent façade envelope to respond to its existing city fabric, whether it was pedestrian traffic on Washington Blvd., the alley behind the building or the Ballona Creek. In addition to achieve a building façade envelop to compliment Culver City Gate Way Steel Towers.

Structural Design Challenges are fundamental elements in adaptive reuse, due to code specified varying imposed live loads for each specific use.

In this project foundation system analysis was the most critical element to determine the adaptive reuse flexibility of the structure to accommodate gallery event spaces.

Based on the pattern of the existing piles. New perimeter structural rigid steel moment frame systems were introduced to achieve an architectural façade rhythm and harmony integrated with the glazing to create the fenestration envelop; As a catalytic project, presenting an assembly of unique spaces, integrated as a Gestalt in harmony with its urban fabric context, namely the four steel towers making the City Node, “The Gate Way to Culver City”.

The entrance to the building is marked and identified with a telescopic pole that includes arched steel elements consistent with structural system as part of the building façade.

The high ceiling utilizes compound curve geometry to enhance the space with lighting and AC system soffit unified at the high point of the arch. Consistent with the second and first floor design concept.

Portion of the third floor was transformed to an outdoor terrace space with the use of Bison Deck system to address the terrace drainage and avoid visual drains, unify and level the indoor and outdoor space transition and create a whole when the folding doors are in open position.

The lighting in the main third floor entrance corridor are rings of commitments for wedding ceremonies and gatherings that are held in the main arched space.

FRAMEWORK FOR DESIGN EXCELLENCE

DESIGNING FOR CHANGE
This project is an adaptation of a former office to a public event space, which required a uniquely designed modified structural system that integrated design with structural functionality.


DESIGNING FOR ECOLOGY
Introducing living green parapets and planted trees to enhance build environment with hints of harmony with nature to bring life back to human enjoyment and experience and using the roof rain gutters as a source of its being.