Los Angeles | Inhabitat

Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens: Two For the Price of One!

by Molly Cotter, 07/06/11

filed under: Destinations,Green Space

For those of you who like to multi-task on vacation, the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens are an incredible mix of animal and plant life. With so much to see, you won't even notice you've been to two attractions at once.

Brooks+Scarpa’s Alta Lofts Provide Chic Living in an Old Factory

by Andrew Michler, 07/06/11

filed under: Architecture

Taking a long and windy road to completion Los Angeles' Alta Lofts is a unique take on contemporary urban living. Struggling to finish the building in the existing economy, the lofts are finally complete and ready to offer sustainable living for a revitalized East LA community. Designed by Brooks-Scarpa Architects formally (Pugh-Scarpa), the green renovation is a striking re-envisioning of the 1920-era paint factory. The contemporary design capping the original neo-classical building is a nod to the retro chic that LA does best. The industrial artist studios open to a large central atrium by garage doors adding community and the open air to the lofts lifestyle.

Lehrer Architects Visualize the Carbon Footprint of an SUV for PARK(ing) Day LA

by Bridgette Meinhold, 07/05/11

filed under: Architecture

In celebration of PARK(ing) Day, Lehrer Architects wanted to build their own tribute, calling on their designers to come up with ideas to transform a parking space in front of their office into a temporary park for a day. Working after hours to come up with a unique response, the team voted on the concept entitled “99 Gallons Per Mile,” to visualize the carbon footprint of a modern sport utility vehicle. They built a void of a typical SUV and calculated the emissions that it would emit and visualized this with 99 red helium balloons floating above the installation.

Architecture

Beverly Hill’s Retro-Chic, Historically Preserved Avalon Hotel

by Lori Zimmer, 07/04/11

filed under: Architecture,Destinations,Nightlife

The mid-century modern charm of the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills was not exactly in vogue until more recent years. Architecture firm Koning Eizenberg helped to give the three building complex a much needed update, while preserving historical aspects, from the late 1990s. The resulting hotel is the polished retro-chic hotel that defines an era of Beverly Hills glamour.

Architecture

The Lebrun House, an Economically Built Sustainable Live/Work Dwelling

by Evelyn Lee, 07/03/11

filed under: Architecture

In spite of its gray exterior, the Lebrun home manages to blur the lines between indoors and out, while creating a unique multi-generational complex. Located in Mar Vista, the house was originally designed for two documentary filmmakers who were interested in building a place where they could live, work, and still have plenty of space for family visitors. Long narrow lotss provided ample room for Studio EA Architects to accommodate a two-structure dwelling connected by an exterior catwalk elevated above a private courtyard garden. Natural light floods every inch of the structure’s interior thanks to the use of clearstory windows throughout and a three story glass stairwell (which doubles as a ventilation shaft).

Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is a Classic in SoCal Ecology

by Molly Cotter, 07/02/11

filed under: Destinations,Green Space

The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is 127 acres of breathtaking flora and fauna from all over the world, set in the hills of southern California. The attraction is in fact a triple threat, as it is also a nationally registered historical site that is rumored to be haunted! The incredibly expansive grounds of the arboretum and botanic gardens are grouped geographically into South American, Asiatic-North American, Mediterranean, South African, and Australian gardens featuring species imported from each region. In March, visitors flock to watch the blooming of the South American pink trumpet trees. The blossoms are famous for forming a thick hot pink canopy high above the lush green paths and are one of the most impressive displays in the whole collection.

Architecture

Plummer Park Community Center Accommodates Teens and Seniors Alike

by Lori Zimmer, 07/01/11

filed under: Architecture

The Plummer Park Community Center, in West Hollywood, was once underused because it was too small to accommodate community activities, and too run down to attract specific groups; but all that changed due to one incredible sustaianble renovation. The City of West Hollywood, on a limited budget, hired architects Koning Eizenberg to revamp the center, expanding its size, while adding some green features. The expansion created designated spaces for varying age and group sizes making it a great gathering space for everyone in the community.