Judges' Comments
- The jury found this project to be one of the most compelling of all the interiors submitted. The formal geometries and careful sculpting of void spaces feel simple and elegant, yet effectively linked, while the “building within a building” concept is well executed and detailed throughout. The result is an unexpected solution for a tenant improvement in a tall building. The jury was also impressed that the built product improved on the already strong ideas conveyed in the concept renderings.
Project Data:
Completion Date: 12/20/2016
Square Footage: 45000
Building Use: Office
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Project Description:
Design Intent:
The design approach was informed by our client’s desire to inhabit compelling spaces that inspire confidence in their ability to deliver ambitious & innovative problem-solving solutions. The design team was presented with the opportunity to create an adaptive office environment within a previously uninhabited apex of the City National Plaza, North Tower at 515 South Flower Street, one of the tallest buildings in downtown Los Angeles. The investigative nature of our client’s work compelled us to gaze beyond the borders of conventional design solutions.
Program:
• Transforming a previously uninhabited mechanical penthouse into a west coast headquarters for an international consulting firm.
• Creating an adaptive office environment to evoke the ethos of “unlimited possibilities” through the uninterrupted 360° vista of Los Angeles.
• The work space is typically at 25% occupancy, staff members may opt to collaborate within a number of configurations of non-assigned custom workstations.
• A total of 210 workstations, including 130 traditional, 70-80 alternative work stations, 24 private offices, and 30 meeting rooms.
Project Description:
The desire to create compelling spaces that feed ones aspiration as well as promote ambition fueled our design, reflecting the unique aspects of our client’s 45,000 SF Los Angeles office. The existing spatial volume consisted of 25,000 square foot single floor and a second floor was created by connecting to the mechanical penthouse above. This connection is realized with an organizational hub at the heart of the project through the creation of a 60 foot-tall sky lit atrium stair-well that introduces natural light into the interior. The skylight culminates at the roof of the 53rd floor: it is surrounded by a faceted fascia that cascades down the inner wall, and extends into the front elevator portal on the 51st floor.
The connectivity of experiences throughout the office and reinforcement of unlimited possibilities is realized with layered levels of orientation within three separate open-air work spaces. The lower floor of the office space encompasses the entire building’s width, which accommodates 26 formal meeting rooms, and over 20,000 SF of adaptable desk space. The floating inner stair-case leads upward toward the skylight above to a 15,000 SF second level. The stair continues to a 5,000 SF mezzanine for adaptable work spaces including a “hanging garden” composed of a thin, steel-rod lattice that supports a lush, meditative garden 52 stories above the bustle of the street below.
C.O.T.E. | Committee on the Environment
Submitted By: |
Colin Rickard |
Design Architect: |
Partner-In-Charge: Mark Hershman |
Associate Architect or Firm: |
Partner: Russell Shubin Partner: Robin Donaldson Project Architect: Christiane Dussa Senior Designer: Ivan Blanco Designer: Matthew Lahr Designer: Christopher Petzak |
Landscape Architect: |
|
Owner / Developer: |
Boston Consulting Group |
Engineer: |
Structural Engineer: Nabih Youssef Structural Engineers MEP Engineer: AMA Consulting Engineers |
General Contractor: |
Sierra Pacific |
Consultant: |
Lighting Designer: Oculus Acoustical Consultant: Newson Brown Acoustics |
Photographer: |
Benny Chan |
BCG
Category
Commercial Interiors
Winner Status
- Merit Award