Liberation Coffee House

This project was selected as an Honor winner in ARCHITECT's 2022 Architecture & Interiors Awards, Interior: Hospitality category.

“I can't help but smile and be happy when I see this coffee shop. The way the colors, inspired by the pride flag, are layered make the space feel ethereal and bright, just like a multicolored sunset.” — Juror Verda Alexander

Positioned on a prominent urban corner in Los Angeles, Liberation Coffee House is a café, a shop, and a gallery within the new Los Angeles LGBT Community Center. The local studio ORA designed the 1,600-square-foot space, detailing a vibrant community living room and a welcoming venue that showcases the creative business endeavors of community members through pop-ups, lectures, and networking events.

The initial design board of bold colors and movement was inspired by American pop artist Keith Haring, and the interior palette of red, orange, yellow, and green—signifying life, healing, sunlight, and nature—was inspired by the pride flag. Each shade hints at the vibrant spirit of the LGBTQ+ community while celebrating its history. ORA embodied the center’s fluid nature, one that is welcoming to all, through softly curved architectural elements, while mitigating the intense southern light with a series of colorful, sheer fabric panels, evoking a California sunset.

The café calls to the outdoors through wood accents and lush plantings that connect visitors to the natural world.

PROJECT CREDITS
Project: Liberation Coffee House, 6725 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles
Client/Owner: The Los Angeles LGBT Center
Architects: ORA, Los Angeles. Oonagh Ryan, AIA (Principal), James Guillou, Assoc. AIA (Project Designer/Manager), Brian Trinidad (Designer)
Architect of Record: ORA
Interior Designer: ORA
Mechanical Engineer: Westco
Electrical Engineer: RJ Performance
Plumbing Engineer: Paul Bennett Partnership, Inc.
General Contractor: Swinerton Builders
Lighting Designer: ORA
Furniture: ORA/Pacific Office Interiors
Size: 1,600 square feet
Cost: Withheld

Materials and Sources:
Espresso Machine: La Marzocco
Refrigeration: True
Grab & Go: Structural Concepts
Ceilings: Suspended Ceiling - Armstrong Kitchen Zone Square Lay-In with Prelude Tee System
Concrete: See flooring
Fabrics/Finishes:
Tile Counter Top & Front: Emser Logic 3” x 6” Glossy White Ceramic Tile with Custom Color Red Epoxy Grout
Back of House Counter: Corian, Cameo White
Fabric Panels: Maharam – Air, Frost & Noon Shear Fabrics in Variety of Colors
Seat Pads: Maharam - Quay Conch Fabric
Plastic Laminate, Wood Grain: Wilsonart Minitoba Maple 7911-60
Flooring: Concrete, Sealed Ardex Topping Slab
Custom Trash/Recycling & Coffee Station Carts: Heartwork
Communal Table: Hem
Café Table: Normann Copenhagen
Dining Chairs: Muuto
Bar Stools: Design Within Reach
Ottomans: BluDot
Lounge Chair: West Elm
Terrazzo Coffee Table: CB2
Paper Pendant: Hay
Patio Furniture: Fermob
Glass: Espresso Station Sneeze Guard – Guardian 3/16” Laminated Glass, Coral Rose
Gypsum: Georgia Pacific Denshield
HVAC: Daikin VRF Ceiling Unit
Insulation: Owens Corning Batt Insulation
Lighting: Elite Lighting
Lighting Control Systems: Leviton
Millwork: Wood Bench - Nordus Clean Spruce Veneer Plywood
Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore, Super White PM-1; Hydrangea Flowers 2008-40; Rose Quartz 2002-30; Sun Porch 2023-30
Toilet: American Standard
Restroom Faucet: Kohler
Kitchen Sinks: Advanced Tabco & GSW
Seating: See furniture & millwork
Walls: Gypsum Wall Board
Wayfinding: Sign Centrix Architectural Signage