In the landscape of residential developments today, many projects seem disconnected from their environments, missing the opportunity to engage with their surroundings.  When we began our work on the L.A. Metropolis complex, we were very interested in challenging this pervasive model, and looked to the rich architectural history of downtown Los Angeles for guidance.  As a firm invested in a photographic process, we had long been seduced by the powerfully evocative facades of LA’s under-appreciated art deco buildings.  Using some of these images as inspiration, our team began to develop a contemporary architectural iconography and custom furnishings for L.A. Metropolis based on the historic design surrounding our site.  To bring our ideas to life, we used the most up-to-date technology to manufacture many of the elements, such as digital printing, robot-controlled mosaic fabrication, and laser-cut metal fabrication, among others.  The results can be seen in the many details that define the project’s public spaces, from the custom wall panels surrounding the lobby and lounge spaces, to the carefully considered lighting and furniture details.  In the residences, the goal was to provide a subtle and quiet backdrop to the stunning views of the city afforded by the building, and a well-balanced palette of grays and creams was employed, all minimally yet carefully articulated.