Architecture

BIG plans unveiled for LA's Arts District

BIG plans unveiled for LA's Arts District
670 Mesquit comprises 241,548 sq m (2.6 million sq ft) of floorspace
670 Mesquit comprises 241,548 sq m (2.6 million sq ft) of floorspace
View 13 Images
BIG's ongoing United States invasion continues with a new proposal for LA's Arts District
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BIG's ongoing United States invasion continues with a new proposal for LA's Arts District
670 Mesquit is a very large mixed-use project including office space, residential units, and hotels
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670 Mesquit is a very large mixed-use project including office space, residential units, and hotels
Assuming it goes ahead, 670 Mesquit will comprise two buildings organized into an L shape and divided into concrete cubes
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Assuming it goes ahead, 670 Mesquit will comprise two buildings organized into an L shape and divided into concrete cubes
"We have imagined a hybrid of two unique local typologies: the downtown warehouse and the case-study house," says Bjarke Ingels
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"We have imagined a hybrid of two unique local typologies: the downtown warehouse and the case-study house," says Bjarke Ingels
670 Mesquit comprises 241,548 sq m (2.6 million sq ft) of floorspace
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670 Mesquit comprises 241,548 sq m (2.6 million sq ft) of floorspace
670 Mesquit is proposed for Los Angeles' Arts District
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670 Mesquit is proposed for Los Angeles' Arts District
It's too early to say if 670 Mesquit will go forward yet
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It's too early to say if 670 Mesquit will go forward yet
670 Mesquit would comprise two buildings organized into an L shape and divided into concrete cubes
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670 Mesquit would comprise two buildings organized into an L shape and divided into concrete cubes
670 Mesquit would include over 250 plush homes, two hotels, and lots of office space
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670 Mesquit would include over 250 plush homes, two hotels, and lots of office space
A render depicting one of 670 Mesquit's luxury condos
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A render depicting one of 670 Mesquit's luxury condos
670 Mesquit would be located near the LA River
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670 Mesquit would be located near the LA River
670 Mesquit also calls for extensive landscaping
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670 Mesquit also calls for extensive landscaping
The renders for 670 Mesquit depict a lot of impressive glazing and greenery softening the large concrete grid structure, including what appear to be rooftop gardens
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The renders for 670 Mesquit depict a lot of impressive glazing and greenery softening the large concrete grid structure, including what appear to be rooftop gardens
View gallery - 13 images

Prolific Danish firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has returned stateside with a newly unveiled proposal for Los Angeles' Arts District. Dubbed 670 Mesquit, the project features a couple of large mixed-use stepped concrete buildings that include office space, residential units, and hotels.

Assuming the project goes ahead (which is not definite yet), 670 Mesquit will see BIG repeating the basic process behind Via 57 West, by blending two different types of buildings. Whereas Via 57 West mixes the courtyard and skyscraper, 670 Mesquit aims to combine a downtown warehouse and a Case Study House.

"We have imagined a hybrid of two unique local typologies: the downtown warehouse and the case-study house," says Bjarke Ingels. "Like a flexible framework the project operates on two scales: the big bare bones of the buildings and the human-scale completion for its individual inhabitants. The freedom of the warehouse loft meets the individual customization of the stick-built case study house."

670 Mesquit is a very large mixed-use project including office space, residential units, and hotels
670 Mesquit is a very large mixed-use project including office space, residential units, and hotels

The design calls for two stepped concrete buildings organized into a roughly L shape and divided into cubes. It comprises 241,548 sq m (2.6 million sq ft) of floorspace in total, split between 250 plush homes, two hotels, and a significant area of office space.

The renders depict lots of impressive glazing and greenery enlivening the austere concrete grid superstructure, including green roof sections. The landscaping looks extensive, too.

670 Mesquit also involves input from engineering firm Arup, amongst others, and would be part of a larger redevelopment push in the area that includes Frank Gehry's LA River redevelopment. Planning permission is still being pursued so it's too early to tell whether or not it will be realized.

Source: BIG

View gallery - 13 images
1 comment
1 comment
Derek Howe
Not a fan of all the vines on it, makes it look old and abandoned.