Tesla’s Red Hot and Green Los Angeles Showroom

How do you show off one of the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/inhabitats-picks-from-the-la-auto-shows-opening-day/" target="_blank">hottest green vehicles</a> on the market today? Why, in a sexy and efficient showroom in Los Angeles, of course. <a href="http://inhabitat.com/green-overdrive-video-test-driving-the-tesla-roadster-2-5/" target="_blank">Tesla's</a> red hot show space is more of a sculpture gallery than a car dealership and with a built-in service garage right on site, interested buyers can get a hands on glimpse into the inner workings of the clean and efficient <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/tag/electric-vehicle" target="_blank">electric vehicles</a>. San Francisco-based CCS Architecture took two old buildings and remodeled them into the stylish and high performance flagship store with enough green features to compliment the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/green-overdrive-video-test-driving-the-tesla-roadster-2-5/" target="_blank">sexy little roadster</a>.

While the showroom is still definitely a car dealership, the simple yet bold interior makes it look like a fine art gallery.

Striking modern artwork sets the stage for the roadsters, just like it was in a model shoot.

Bright red walls are complimented by concrete floors and driving lane floor lights.

A wooden truss ceiling can be lit up with blue lights for an even more electric feel.

As part of the showroom on Santa Monica Blvd, Tesla's garage and service area is unified with the building, allowing customers to watch the work in progress from inside or even just on the street.

Tesla wanted to make the service area totally transparent to show people how different electric cars are from regular ones.

With no noise, zero emissions, and no spilled gasoline, the service area is pristine, just like an open kitchen in a five star restaurant.

CCS Architecture, which is known for its work designing restaurants and high end residences, rehabilitated two older buildings in the Westwood neighborhood to create the Tesla showroom back in 2008.

Many materials from the original buildings were reused and updated with energy and water efficient systems and fixtures to create an eco friendly showroom to compliment the clean vehicles.

Skylights in the roof bring in natural daylight, and the roof has a highly reflective coating to reduce heat gain as well as above code foam insulation.

Water efficient fixtures decrease water usage and efficient fluorescent lighting lights up the service areas.

Energy efficient heating and cooling systems are assisted with passive cooling through cross ventilation. And while the managers had hoped to install a photovoltaic system on the roof, the building is sadly shaded too much by surrounding taller buildings.

Cass Smith of CCS Architecture commented about the showroom, “The cars are beautiful, so the showroom is set up to be a boutique experience, where the intended rawness of the space counterpoints the sleek refinement of the cars. It's like sculpture in a gallery.”