The project seeks to regenerate and reactivate the important and historic Pico and Sepulveda intersection within the evolving neighborhood of West LA.
The design was pragmatically driven by the client’s requirements, the external forces of the site and the desire to express an iconic image in contrast to the diverse urban context. The client’s requirements included a density increase that maximized the development potential of the site, which involved full site coverage and maximum allowable height.
The resulting building form reflects the minimum setbacks, easements, and intentions of the neighborhood’s Urban Design Guidelines. The building’s design concept responds to the site’s two active street conditions by eroding the simple opaque massing to reveal and frame two reflective and inflected glass facades that reduce the visual mass of the building using origami creases and folds as an inspiration.
“The concept of an urban life science lab incubator is particularly compelling especially when coupled with a progressive urban regeneration plan,” says Kevin Nyhoff, the lead designer on the project. “I’m excited about our conceptual design direction and the transformational impact of this project on the existing neighborhood.”
