Beverly Center Renovation in Los Angeles, California by Studio Fuksas

Article source: Studio Fuksas

Roma-based architectural and urban design firm Studio Fuksas, led by Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas, was selected as the design architect for the reimagination of the 886,000 sq. ft. Beverly Center in Los Angeles, California.

Thirty-four months of construction and five hundred million dollars later a reimagined Center was officially unveiled on November 2, 2018. The mall, a monolithic eight-story structure located at the edge of Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, now boosts a new glimmering white skin made of a highly textured stucco surmounting a metal mesh which changes transparency through the day and according to the viewer’s vantage point.

Image Courtesy © John Linden

• Architects: Studio Fuksas, (Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas)
• Project: Beverly Center Renovation
• Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
• Photography: John Linden, Archivio Fuksas
• Software used: Autocad, Rhino, BIM
• Structural Engineer: Ludwig Structural Consulting, LLC

Image Courtesy © John Linden

Due to its sheer size, on a total land area of approximately eight acres, the Beverly Center could be very well considered a city block. The unusually large scale amplifies the relationship between the exterior and the surrounding neighborhood. The sinuosity, and the glossy white, of the metal mesh wrapping the entire perimeter enables both absorption and reverberation of natural light. The exterior appears calm and diaphanous in the morning. Dynamic and fiercely contrasting in the afternoon. Dematerialized in a soft and wavy 300-yard long kaleidoscope at night when the mesh up lights turn on.

Image Courtesy © John Linden

Image Courtesy © Archivio Fuksas

Inside the mall, the challenge was to increase the space permeability to the natural light. With this goal in mind, it was implemented a 25,000 sq. ft., gently curving, high-performance skylight that triples the former roof sections opened to the sky. The reconfigured floor openings allow direct sun light to reach with the same intensity all floors, especially the lower ones. Offsetting the floor openings greatly improved sight lines through the floors and the skylight. The skylight runs almost for the entire length of the roof acting as a river of light with its banks of shimmering metal panels made precious by a platinum automotive-finish paint and, at night, by a series of backlit micro perforations. The combination of abundant well-modulated natural light and more permeable floor decks made the mall interior a much more pleasant space where the connection with the outdoors is never lost.

Image Courtesy © John Linden

Image Courtesy © John Linden

The four storeys high Center Court, with an impressive 20 ft x 35 ft LED screen, was redesigned as a flexible space to host events, exhibitions, installations and to encourage the patrons to mingle and freely explore the mall which has been for decades an iconic fashion destination for locals, celebrities and international visitors.

Pedestrian and vehicular circulation has been also greatly enhanced. A lush streetscape, with drought-resistant greenery, makes more pleasant reaching the mall on foot, or bicycle, while a state-of-the-art smart parking system dramatically improves the arrival and departure experience throughout the four parking decks.

Image Courtesy © John Linden

Image Courtesy © John Linden

Two new grand valets were added off West 3rd St and La Cienega Blvd to provide quick access to the street-level restaurants featuring seasonal farm-traceable “seed-to-plate“ cuisine.

Studio Fuksas not only rethought  the design of the new façade to improve the aesthetic qualities of the building but, beyond renovating the image of the shopping center, it also created new meeting spaces for the luxury market in California.

Image Courtesy © Archivio Fuksas

Image Courtesy © Archivio Fuksas

Image Courtesy © Archivio Fuksas

Image Courtesy © Archivio Fuksas

Image Courtesy © Archivio Fuksas

Image Courtesy © John Linden

Image Courtesy © John Linden

Image Courtesy © John Linden

Tags: California, USA

Categories: Autocad, Extention, Parking, public spaces, Renovation, Rhino, Shopping Mall

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