CLIENTWatt Properties
SERVICESBuilding Renovation, Interiors
LOCATIONLos Angeles, CA
SIZE17,000 sq ft
STATUSCompleted 2020
The renovated lobby creates a spacious, light-filled, and welcoming entry experience for this 1980s high-rise office building designed by architect Gin Wong. With nearly six times as much space as the old design, the lobby now features a comfortable lounge, a flexible, state-of-the-art conference center, a catering wet bar for events, retail spaces, and a new courtyard.
Starting at the front door, we created a bronze and glass entryway that invites visitors into the building, offering views across the lobby and out to the courtyard. The space features gathering areas to suit a variety of needs, from private conference rooms to soft seating and café tables for casual meetings, as well as a quiet nook for more focused work. Faceted stone walls in the main lobby connect the indoor and outdoor spaces, and form additional seating alcoves.
The lobby flows into the conference center, creating a flexible venue for large meetings and events with sliding panels that can be closed off for smaller gatherings. A new 200 square foot skylight in the conference center and a glass expanse out to the courtyard bring natural light deep into the space. The courtyard is equipped with lighting, speakers, and heaters, and can be reserved for private parties.
The design features new energy-efficient glass, LED lighting, sustainably sourced materials, low flow fixtures, and new Energy Saving Cool Roofing over the rotunda, among other elements, to increase energy efficiency and preserve resources.
The renovation also added a secondary pedestrian entryway to connect to adjacent transit stops.
Awards and Press
- IIDA SC Calibre Award, Best Public & Community Space — 2021
- ENR California Award, Best Regional Project, Renovation/Restoration — 2021
- Los Angeles Business Council Architecture Awards, Renovation Award — 2021
- Watt Plaza, USA — darc Magazine 2021
- Archilume Creates Stunning Light Installation — REMI Network Design Quarterly 2021
PHOTOGRAPHYBruce Damonte
Awards
- City of Palo Alto, Architectural Review Board (ARB) Design Award | The Hub at Stanford Research Park
- ULI Washington Awards for Excellence, Finalist | MLK Gateway II
- Future of Work Awards, Jury’s Special Prize | Ledger HQ
- BIM d’Or, Tech Show Awards | Google AI Hub
- Interior Design Magazine, Best of Year Awards, Office Renovation, Winner | Meta EMEA Headquarters
- Interior Design Magazine, Best of Year Awards, Medium Tech Office: Finalists | WHOOP Headquarters
- ULI Europe Awards for Excellence : Winner | L’Atelier Covivio
- Interior Design Magazine, Best of Year Awards, Finalist: Large Early Education | Raymond Elementary School
- AIA DC, Awards of Excellence in Architecture, Chapter Design Award: Winner | Raymond Elementary School
- ULI Washington Awards of Excellence, Excellence in Institutional Development: Winner | Raymond Elementary School
- ULI Washington Awards of Excellence: Finalists | Raymond Elementary School
- USGBC, US Local Market Leadership Swards DC, MD, VA, Decarbonization Award: Winner | Raymond Elementary School
- Fast Company, Innovation by Design Awards, Best Workplace Design: Honorable Mention | WHOOP Headquarters
- Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award, Display Installations: Winner | Welcome Galleries at the National Building Museum
- Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Award, Best in office Buildings: Winner | Meta EMEA Headquarters
- Interior Design Magazine, NYCxDesign Awards: Finalist | 825 Third Avenue
- CoreNet NYC Design Excellence Awards, Project of the Year Under 25K sq ft: Winner | 825 Third Avenue
- USGBC, US Local Market Leadership Awards DC, MD, VA, Judge’s Choice Award: Winner | MLK Gateway II
- NAIOP DC MD Awards of Excellence, Best Washington DC Urban Office: Winner | MLK Gateway II
- CoreNet New England Awards of Excellence, Large Workplace: Winner | WHOOP Headquarters