Fifty-two stories, four visually distinct sections, and one playful, gaping hole constitute the major components of Gensler's proposed new 300+ unit residential building for downtown Los Angeles, which would rise from the ashes of a (soon-to-be) former auto dealership on 1600 South Figueroa Street. The 1.14 acre site would play host to the mixed-use building, which would feature 9,000 square feet of retail space in addition to a 3,000 square foot restaurant and a hotel.
The residential units are a mixture of condos and rentals, and include several units set aside specifically for low-income residents. The very top of the tower features a playful, asymmetrically-placed hat-like assembly of penthouses, distinguishing it visually from the more restrained neighboring towers to the north (and creating a weird dialogue with the convention center).
Their best project to date.
I honestly don't know what to say to this. It's like they asked four different interns to come up with an idea then stacked all their models on top of one another and sprayed on some green flocking in the crevasse.
Excuse me, the "playful, gaping hole." Whatever you do don't google image that phrase.
And while I love the downpour in the recent Kengo Kuma Portland Japanese garden images, why would Gensler choose to make the LA sky so smoggy here?
Gensler LA sub'd the renderings out to Labtop - in case that wasn't obvious.
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When I was a toddler, a fun game was to see how high you can stack all the blocks in the playroom before the tower topples over. If you were smart, you'd save the weirdest shapes for last.
Turns out I could've worked at Gensler.
I can't believe it's gotten to this point.
These renderings (and the building) are depressingly dystopian,
Except the OMA project *sort of* made sense. I doubt Gensler has anyone like Prince-Ramus who can spin a narrative compelling enough to justify this hodgepodge.
"...who can spin a narrative compelling enough to justify this hodgepodge. "
There it is. A narrative no user will ever hear or be able to read. This is what architects are taught to do and the public suffers.
Their best project to date.
I'm curious about what its like at the first floor. But otherwise, it looks very bold and strange. I like it.
Gensler has never been good at making attractive exteriors, but this one is a new low. Sad!
The most successful Architectural firm worldwide in terms of revenues / profits ....... whats their secret ?
go back to russia!
whats their secret ?
Volume.
shouldn't they wait to have a finished design before publishing?
When you look at architecture, try not to concern yourself with the pieces--look at the building in its totalitarianism.
I honestly don't know what to say to this. It's like they asked four different interns to come up with an idea then stacked all their models on top of one another and sprayed on some green flocking in the crevasse.
Excuse me, the "playful, gaping hole." Whatever you do don't google image that phrase.
Donna: my thoughts exactly.
Any one of them still seems a little busy to me but could easily be refined into something elegant. Stacking all four together is absurd.
And while I love the downpour in the recent Kengo Kuma Portland Japanese garden images, why would Gensler choose to make the LA sky so smoggy here?
Gensler LA sub'd the renderings out to Labtop - in case that wasn't obvious.
I don't know, try and fly and F-22 through it - this is L.A.
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