BIG has recently unveiled an exciting new design for a mixed-use development in LA’s Arts District. The design calls for a series of stepped boxes containing 800,000 square feet of office space, 250 residential units and two hotels. 670 Mesquit is BIG’s first project in Los Angeles, and aims to preserve the area’s local typologies while redefining them to establish optimal flexibility.
The development, located along the Los Angeles River, consists of two large interconnected volumes with an L-shaped layout. Based on a grid of concrete cubes measuring 45 feet on each side, with varying ceiling heights and mezzanine levels, the project combines different program types and offers flexibility. Three bays of the concrete armature which were left unfilled help open up views and establish circulation. The passageways connect public spaces with retail and outdoor areas that offer views of the adjacent river. According to the architects, the project combines two distinct typologies- the downtown warehouse and the case-study house, allowing the development to operate on two scales and providing an opportunity for customization.
Related: BIG’s Copenhagen recycling center will double as a neighborhood ski slope
“The Arts District is experiencing a rapid renaissance, drawing creatives from all fields from fine arts to engineering. We have asked ourselves if we can renew the arts district by embracing rather than replacing the qualities that have spawned this unique urban culture,” said Bjarke Ingels, Founding Partner of BIG.
Via Archdaily
