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Studio Ponsi

Studio Ponsi

Florence, IT

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Palos Verdes Art Center

Palos Verdes, Los Angeles (USA) 2000
International competition; 1st place;
Client: City of Palos Verdes

The program required a new building to replace the existing one, which was to house various exhibition galleries, a library, an auditorium, areas for laboratories and classrooms and a two-storey underground car park. 
Following the narrative thread of a metaphorical “path through the wood”, the building develops internally, following the rhythm of pergola-covered passageways, terraces, small patios and big courtyards. To reduce the environmental impact of the new construction to a minimum, the building is subdivided into low blocks descending in accordance with the naturally sloping land. Like a monastery, the complex is subdivided into public areas (the large entrance plaza, the reception hall and the main courtyard), and private areas (the laboratory patios, the classroom wing, the administrative section).

 
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Status: Competition Entry
Location: Palos Verdes Estates, CA, US
Firm Role: Architect
Additional Credits: Building area: 3500 mq (37.673 sq.ft.)
Architectural design: Studio Ponsi - Andrea Ponsi, Firenze
Design team: Scott Henderson, Federico Frittelli, Marc Di Domenico