Santa Monica Hotels in California by Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Article source: Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc. 

DESIGN

Although different hotels, the two structures work together to create a strong presence on the 5th Street corner by providing tower-like elements which will offer a gateway to the city. Both structures have interior courts that provide for daylight, cross-ventilation, and general interest shops for hotel patrons. These projects have been designed to complement the fabric of the city while being graceful, fully functional hotels. With an eye toward the then-under-construction Expo Line ushering in an unprecedented number of visitors to Santa Monica, GP-US envisioned the hotels serving as a prime hospitality recipient for such travelers.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

• Architects: Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc. (Gene Fong Associates (now AXIS/GFA) )
• Project: Santa Monica Hotels
• Location: Santa Monica, California, USA
• Owner: OTO Development
• Interior Design: Studio HBA
• Lighting Design: Illuminate Lighting Design
• LEED Consultant: Zinner Consultants
• Structural Engineer: Englekirk Structural Engineers
• M & P Engineer: Hellman & Lober
• Electrical Engineer: OMB Electrical Engineers
• Civil Engineering & Surveyor: Psomas
• LEED Commissioning: Engineering Economics, Inc.
• General Contractor: Lusardi Construction

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

THE COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT

The Courtyard by Marriott has been designed to open up to pedestrians as they come off the Expo Line at 4th and Colorado. The building itself has been cut back from the street, although it still retains a dramatic presence. In addition, the second floor deck has been activated by providing an outdoor lounging area and pool, as well as having public oriented facilities such as meeting rooms and exercise rooms that face the street. At the street level, the primary pedestrian entrance to the hotel is located in the middle of the block, and is dramatized by having the pool deck cantilever over the entry. The corner itself has been given a strong presence by bringing the building down to the edge of the sidewalk, and the storefront has been set back to allow for a widened sidewalk that could accommodate outdoor seating as well as providing for a gracious pedestrian environment.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

THE HAMPTON INN & SUITES

The Hampton Inn & Suites is a companion hotel but entirely different in its conceptualization. It is intended to work in conjunction with the Marriott, but to be its own unique structure. This hotel is the first one encountered as the Expo Line pulls into its final station. The tower that defines the corridor has been set back to create an entry plaza to the hotel. In addition, the 5th Street elevation has been developed to create a seductive and mellifluous image by use of a draped and folded screen that has been rolled back to capture and define that entry plaza. Along both 5th Street and Colorado, the ground floor has been designed to be open and transparent in order to draw eyes to the structure and to activate the street. At the easterly end along Colorado, a separate retail space has been provided for an independent user, most likely to be filled by a restaurant. The northerly end of this façade has been opened up with the purpose of providing an automobile entrance and the pool. The pool has been located in this position to take advantage of solar orientation and to provide additional visual interest. The philosophical underpinnings of the design for the Hampton Inn & Suites creates a much more solid building, providing a significant presence on the street, while it is intentionally molded and shaped by the design of the facades.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

GP-US was hired to provide a fresh design approach tailored to the City that would incorporate an urban design and pedestrian philosophy to inform the building’s orientation and character. Firm Principal Gwynne Pugh was able to respond to the strict requirements in Santa Monica because of his familiarity with the City and specifically with the project area, having worked on a number of developments within a quarter mile radius from the site, such as Colorado Court, Step Up on Fifth, and the Santa Monica Garages on 4th and Colorado.

Instead of creating two isolated buildings, Pugh offered a comprehensive design strategy for the City, connecting the hotels through various elements of urban design. Presenting these conceptual plans to the Santa Monica City Council back in April of 2012, consensus and approval from council members culminated in a unanimous and enthusiastic vote that propelled the project forward and into the schematic design phase.

FIRM

GP-US is nationally known for innovative and sustainable design, and has a proven track record for creating energetic and lively environments. The firm was launched in 2010, marking a new venture for world-renowned architect, engineer and urban designer, Gwynne Pugh. Gwynne has been practicing architecture, planning, civil, structural and design engineering since 1971.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Gwynne Pugh Urban Studio, Inc.

Tags: California, USA

Category: Hotel

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