LA LOFT Los Angeles, California

Project Details

Project Description

The 1,400 sq. ft. live-work environment designed for a creative professional is located in an existing warehouse building in downtown Los Angeles. The design consists of two distinct entities.
The angular geometry of the faceted stone-clad monolith contrasts with free-flowing organic elliptical-shaped room. Through these two pieces, a dialogue emerges, allowing harmony and conflict to co-exist in the dwelling.
Technology is an integral part of the design in two ways:
1.) Technology is used to control the environment. The inhabitants have the ability to alter the mood of the space in a number of ways via a central control station. Lighting, music, security, heating - air conditioning and the display of the media wall are all programmed as part of the user interface. The media wall—(a wall tiled with cinema display monitors—) serves as an extension of the computer’s desktop. The wall is a screen for viewing films and for gaming. The media wall also serves as a virtual art gallery, displaying the occupant’s photography collection.
2.) Technology was driving force in designing and fabricating the residence. The forms were produced via a computer model and fabricated using a CNC (computer numerically controlled) milling process. 65 plywood ribs (14’ high) were places 12” apart creating an armature to which thin layers of gypsum wallboard and plaster were affixed to form the complex curves of the walls.
The raised floor is sheathed with a system of translucent honeycomb panels allow the LED lighting system below to morph from one color to the next. The building materials were chosen for their ability to absorb or reflect the ever-changing color palette of the light. The raised flooring transforms into the lounge seating area and the desk of the workstation. A spa area is provided in the residence. Stone steps rise to the platform base of the monolith. The raised deckhouses an air-bath tub, natural light and a stylized garden. A floating steel fireplace completes the relaxation zone.
Undulating curved walls form the womb-like enclosure that demarcates the kitchen. A 15’ long island of stainless steel houses the appliances and cabinets. The skin of the elliptical-shaped room tears away revealing the bathroom concealed beyond. The walls are pierced with light-sensitive tiles. The light portals absorb and redistribute the available light in the space providing another dimension to environment. This is where the overhead cantilevered stone appendage penetrates the embryonic form. The two distinct entities complement, contrast and, violate one another as they coalesce.