the hub: vertical extension of the city

the hub:
vertical extension of the city

i

ii

aknowledgements
This thesis is dedicated to Caroline-Kelly Coreen Lee.
With love and grace I am eternally blessed by your
beauty and presence.
To my loving family for supporting my endeavor
through this process.
In loving memory of Robert Castleman Lee
iii

iv

abstract
Los Angeles is a fabric of sprawl. Transportation issues and car
dependency has led Los Angeles Metro to expand the transportation
system. In particular, the purple subway line proposed
to extend along Wilshire corridor from Downtown Los Angeles
to Santa Monica. New developments become concentrations
of density as linear forms that meander through the city scape
disassociated from its site context. New transit stations should
extend the city to provide a more intensive and concentrated
vertical development to foster nodes of urban vitality. The outcome
is the hub acting as the effective center of activity, the
distributer of human flow, and an incubator for different programs.
The hub and its program are a direct reflection of the
site context and are also subject to foreign components that
fit within a similar criterion: proximity to transit, housing, street
vendor/ pedestrian activity, and museums.
v

vi

table of contents
acknowledgements..................................................................................................................................................................... iii
abstract....................................................................................................................................................................................... v
introduction................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
existing narrative + methods...................................................................................................................................................... 2-5
site context + hub....................................................................................................................................................................... 6-9
site selection + mapping............................................................................................................................................................. 10-17
figure ground mapping................................................................................................................................................................ 18-27
foreign program + case studies.................................................................................................................................................. 28-29
one powell
30-36
one museum mile
37-44
art’otel
45-53
the hub: proposed
54-67
process + massing...................................................................................................................................................................... 68-69
courtyard typologies
70
tower typolgies
71
interface & vitality
72-73
transparency
74-75
vertical extension
76-79
structural intent............................................................................................................................................................................ 80-81
floor plans.................................................................................................................................................................................... 82-83
sections + elevation.................................................................................................................................................................... 84-86
the hub: visible certainty.............................................................................................................................................................. 87
visuals
88-89
images
90-101
precedents + appendix............................................................................................................................................................... 102-107
references................................................................................................................................................................................... 108-109

introduction
The population of Los Angeles is growing rapidly contributing to car
dependency and transportation issues. The need for more housing
development and transportation services is becoming prominent. Los
Angeles Metro is in the process of developing and extending a new
network of transportation services along the city’s fabric. In particular,
the purple subway line proposed to extend along the nine mile Wilshire
corridor from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica providing seven
new transit stations. Wilshire Boulevard is one of the main access
thoroughfares in Los Angeles serving as a highly dense linear thread
with proximity to points of interest. LA Metro is now in the process of
subterranean exploration along the district of Mid-Wilshire where two of
the seven transit sites are being proposed.
The proposed transit sites in Mid-Wilshire offer investigation for new
transit stations as a means to extend the linear fabric and provide a
more intensive and concentrated vertical development to foster nodes
of urban vitality. The architecture filters information generated by the
site context and identity while acting as a highly transparent interface
of activity and function. Be it a portal where uninterrupted urban flow
occurs, but also a main point of interest that acts as a containment system
of various programs enveloped in an urban setting. An architecture
that mixes functions to rejuvenate the altruistic social nature found in
urbanism, while also meeting the need of its context. Mixing private and
public life becomes the essence of this.
1

mid-wilshire + existing narrative and methods
Population Growth + Demographics - According to SCAG, the population growth
in Los Angeles took a heavy decrease from 2005-2009 most notably known for the
great recession contributing to an uncertain economic and employment future, foreclosed
homes, and a lack of affordable market rate housing. 1 However, 2010 – 2014
showed a steady increase in population of 80,000 at a growth rate of 5.7 percent
in 2014 alone. The projected population growth forecast of Los Angeles County will
grow to 10.1 to 11.3 million by 2035 along with a steady increase of households and
employment.
The US Census Bureau, Los Angeles holds 10.1 million people which are roughly
a third of the California population. 1 The population percent change in California
from 2010 to 2014 was 4.1% while Los Angeles accounts for 3.0% of it. In particular,
the Hispanic/Latino culture has surpassed the Caucasian demographic mainly on
the Eastern spectrum of Los Angeles. The impact of the Hispanic/Latino community
jumped from 46.5 to 49.4 percent from 2000 – 2014. Recent mapping statistics show
that the Latino culture is edging and moving western towards the beach cities. Specifically,
the Latino community is making way along the Wilshire corridor to Sawtelle
bordering Santa Monica.
There is a steady population shift from Downtown through the off-skirts of the Wilshire
Corridor and into West Los Angeles. The desire and density is emerging and mixeduse
development is beginning to mold the urban fabric and urban identity of the city.
Inversely, the urban identity and context play a key role in the architecture in terms
of program, form, transportation, and retail. It’s a matter of development accounting
for that idea and to sensibly respond to the needs of the urban fabric and context. In
doing so, there is also a possibility of decreased automobile congestion, enhanced
employment growth, more walkability rates, and account for more pedestrian transportation
percentages.
Traffic + Transportation – According to INRIX, a traffic information and services
group, found that Los Angeles was the number one city in 2012 with the worst traffic
at peak hours with the average car at 14 mph and 26 added minutes to everyday
commute. 2 Population density is at 2,646.0 people per square mile in Los Angeles’
metro area while 84.1 percent of the population are driving to work.
2

Though new forms of transit are being implemented, only 6.2 percent of Los Angeles
residents utilize public transit. In lieu of new responsible development those numbers
could potentially vary in a positive manner. For instance, the proposed Metro Purple
Line extension will cover nine miles along Wilshire generating seven new stations to
improve pedestrian mobility and link inner city residents to westward destinations. 3
The issue arises as to how the new extension and development will account for the
urban fabric, socio-economic and demographic identity along the numerous districts
the Purple Line will meander through. Not to mention, how the architecture typology
will be affected and differ in each location.
The intended audience is an important role to the planning and designing of the
Purple Line extension proposal. According to a 2013 GIS demographic baseline study,
the Red/Purple Lines take on the highest pedestrian movement per monthly Metro
ridership. 4 The lines transport approximately 3.8 million people a month at roughly
126,000 people a day. The area adjacent to the Purple line has 443,804 individuals
in proximity, which is the highest of all the Lines. The median income household
along the Purple Line is $38,622 and residents are less likely to live in owner-occupied
units. 21.8 percent of that population utilizes public transportation making it the
highest densely occupied level of transit service in Los Angeles. 46.1 percent of the
demographic in Central Los Angeles are Latinos with Mid-Wilshire being the most
diverse in equal parts of White, Black, Latino, and Asian. 5 The age range is at a spiked
rate between 19-34 years old and roughly 40% single males and females.
Regional Destinations - account for transit and land-use coordination along major
corridors, the result is improved access to regional points of interest. The regional
scale is location of the highest densities of development and the most important urban
centers hold destinations at nodes where several frequent transit services meet.
6
At the neighborhood scale, most new development are located along reasonably
direct corridors so that most destinations are conveniently connected to other destinations.
Reid Ewing found that accessibility to regional activities has a strong impact
on household travel patterns, while Barnes found that the density and regional location
of a person’s workplace significantly influenced transit ridership. (7,8) Regional
destinations are also influenced by work location just as much as activity based travel.
Specifically, connecting Mid-City Los Angeles through a highly active corridor like
Wilshire further accentuates the need for means of proximity to transit, work, and
3

leisure activities. Also, the influx of people and pedestrian flow will envelop a stronger
urban fabric and identity not only socially, but architecturally. The new development
aim is to cater to the influx of a younger diverse group with a median income of
$38,622. The iconic sites along the Wilshire corridor provoke more means of diverse
urban constructs as well.
Frequent Transit Networks and new development are in conjunction with modes
of transportation. With feasible access, transit could provide faster and more frequent
services and convenient access to many regional destinations. Transit, walking, or
cycling could also become a more convenient choice of travel to destinations that
are easily accessible. This is all encompassing of short gap stops between stations to
enhance the developed areas along the route. Infill development could offer accessible
thoroughfares and accommodate for the user seeking to find easier connections
to and from destinations. Architecture plays a key role in identifying points of interest,
desirable social enclaves and can also become transit hubs as well.
Land Use policies and regulations promote higher densities and can attract a community’s
investment in mixed-use development along planned frequent transit corridors.
According to ZIMAS, the entire Wilshire Boulevard strip from downtown Los
Angeles to San Vicente Boulevard is zoned as Commercial-Residential.
Transit Timeline
The Historical Sequence of Los Angeles’ transit system expansion from 1992 to 2023. The transportation system
is beginning to spread throughout the fabric of Los Angeles. New development will be concentrated along the
vast span of the city’s framework. The map indicates Mid-wilshire, black, will receive two new transit stations
along its very dense and urban corridor from the extension of the purple line. As Los Angeles begins to cultivate
its transportation network, Mid-Wilshire will need account for new development along its corridor.
4

LAX
LAX
2016
LAX
LAX
1.6m
LAX
LAX
LAX
1993
2023
1992
Transportation
Growth
Central
Valley
West
Harbor
Pop. Growth
1950 - 2010
200k
400k
800k
1996
2019
1.2m
1999
2m
2003
2009
5

6

site context + the hub
The site context is crucial for understanding site selection and program development.
An established criterion was set to develop requirements for the selected site
and prescription of program: mapping proximities to transit, housing, points of interest,
and pedestrian/street vendor activity. Considering the purple line extension runs
through the Wilshire corridor along Miracle Mile, museums were set as a criteria in
developing site understanding. This investigation led to the origin of program and
function within the chosen site.
The architectural container that houses this investigation is the hub acting as the
effective center of activity, region, and network that is the distributer of human flow
as well as the incubator for the interface of different functions. An analysis of the
site context is the main driver for the constituents of the hub. Practicality of functions
is necessary to satisfy the city’s framework, but the addition of foreign program
should be layered within the site. Such program compononents are derived from
outsourced environments through the investigation of three different geographically
located case studies that are strictly in relation to the criterion of the proposed site.
The basis of the hub should function as the heart of a city’s vibrancy that concentrates
a dense urban core. It is the organ that formulates the containment of varied
programs as well as an arterial network that retracts and reciprocates human flow
and activity. The relationships and interface of private versus public should extend
the threshold of horizontality as a means to exploit vertical layers of the hub. The
transparency of activity shouldn’t necessarily be subjected to the ground level, but
engaged along the vertical axis of the site.
7

constituent hub

mapping mid-wilshire
The proposed site is located along the Wilshire corridor and directly situated on
a proposed MTA site. Specifically, on the corner of Wilshire boulevard and Fairfax
Avenue which is representative of a diverse cultural fabric that is anchored by the
dense Wilshire thoroughfare and separated into 6 different subcultures: Little Ethiopia;
Beverly Hills Border; Park La Brea; Miracle Mile, Central Los Angeles; and Dockweiler.
Miracle Mile contains the main interface of urban activity in conjunction with
museum and street vendorship movement. Understanding each subculture within
the districts framework was essential to the process of deriving the programmatic
constituents of the hub.
10

0 25 50 100 200 300
district context
topo
points of interest
sub-cultures
park la brea
food
wilshire blvd
transit stops
middle schools
museum
central los angeles
site
contour interval = 5 ft
0.00 ft 250.00 ft 500.00 ft 750.00 ft 1,000.00 ft
scale in ft
miracle mile
koreatown
little ethiopia
dockweiler
11

district context
topo
points of interest
sub-cultures
park la brea
food
wilshire blvd
transit stops
middle schools
museum
site
contour interval = 5 ft
0.00 ft 250.00 ft 500.00 ft 750.00 ft 1,000.00 ft
scale in ft
0 25 50 100 200 300

park la brea

central los angeles

little ethiopia

miracle mile

dockweiler
koreatown

figure ground
These maps indicate figure ground relationships of the Mid-Wilshire context in regards
to the proposed site. All are important factors and will be considered in the
development of the hub.
museums
transit
permanent food
food trucks
commercial ammenities
corridor FAR
corridor street scale
corridor subterranean
18

0 25 50 100 200 300
figure ground
0.00 ft 250.00 ft 500.00 ft 750.00 ft 1,000.00 ft
scale in ft
19

0 25 50 100 200 300
museum mapping
0.00 ft 250.00 ft 500.00 ft 750.00 ft 1,000.00 ft
scale in ft
20

0 25 50 100 200 300
transit mapping
0.00 ft 250.00 ft 500.00 ft 750.00 ft 1,000.00 ft
scale in ft
proposed purple line
proposed subway portals
RAPID bus stops
21

0 25 50 100 200 300
food mapping
0.00 ft 250.00 ft 500.00 ft 750.00 ft 1,000.00 ft
scale in ft
22

0 25 50 100 200 300
food truck pattern subject to change
0.00 ft 250.00 ft 500.00 ft 750.00 ft 1,000.00 ft
scale in ft
bahn in the USA
yalla truck
arroy food truck
candela taco bar & lounge
bool korean bbq
pizza & co
swami’s
hungry belly
la rue de paris
el chato taco truck
prime time cuisine on wheels
aldi recipes
kabob kings
farmers market
ban(h) in the USA
mainely lobster
huitlacoche
main squeeze lemonade
green truck
taco city
23

0 25 50 100 200 300
commercial amenities
0.00 ft 250.00 ft 500.00 ft 750.00 ft 1,000.00 ft
scale in ft
24

0 25 50 100 200 300
corridor zoning FAR building heights
0.00 ft 250.00 ft 500.00 ft 750.00 ft 1,000.00 ft
scale in ft
public facility
commercial zone typical 3:1 (no limit)
residential typical 3:1 (45’)
one-family zone typical 3:1 (33’)
25

0 25 50 100 200 300
wilshire corridor street scale
0.00 ft 250.00 ft 500.00 ft 750.00 ft 1,000.00 ft
scale in ft
1
2
3
1 2 3
4
4 5 6
5
6
7
8
9
7 8 9
[1] fairfax ave
curson ave
masselin ave
hauser blvd
ridgeley dr
cochran ave
cloverdale ave
la brea ave
orange grove ave
ogden dr
spaulding ave
stanley ave
courtyard pl
burnside ave
dunsmuir ave
detroit st
10
11
10 11 12 13
12
13
14
15
14 15 16 17
16
17
26

0 25 50 100 200 300
birds eye
proposed plan
typical street section
fairfax
wilshire corridor subterranean
0.00 ft
250.00 ft 500.00 ft 750.00 ft 1,000.00 ft
scale in ft
[1] fairfax ave
curson ave
masselin ave
hauser blvd
ridgeley dr
cochran ave
cloverdale ave
la brea ave
40’ - 0”
orange grove ave
ogden dr
spaulding ave
stanley ave
courtyard pl
burnside ave
dunsmuir ave
detroit st
wilshire fairfax
proposed plan
450’ - 0”
ancillary platform
ancillary
no scale
27

28

foreign program: case studies
one powell
san francisco, california
One Powell is an eight-story landmark situated along one of San Francisco’s
highly dense museum district. This adaptive re-use project
became a node for which retail, housing, and transportation worked
synonymously in a three part layer system. The 40’ sunken courtyard
provides a drastic change in level as the point of accessibility to transit.
The ground level becomes an extension of the courtyard linking retail to
the urban identity and a more privatized loft space situated above.
one museum mile
manhattan, new york
art’otel
centrum, amsterdam
One Museum Mile combines the Museum for African Art and up-scale
condominiums. Situated on the edge of Harlem, it culminates a mile
long thoroughfare containing museums, adjacent proximity to Central
Park; as well as heavy pedestrian and street vendorship activity. The
interface of museum and housing offer a vitality at the ground level that
mixes with the very urban site context. It becomes a point along the museum
row that is a reflection of the site context while connecting to key
aspects of the city: access to transit, green space, and points of interest.
Art’otel utilizes the mixing of program to create a vitality within the building.
Various functions and uses are intermixed allowing for more dynamic
multi-purpose program. For example, the library intersects the
bar, kitchen and lounge area while the gallery space is subjected on
multiple levels at the interface of all functions. The building is located in
the city center of Amsterdam adjacent to the iconic Central Rail Station,
main vendor quares and open air amenities, and in proximity to museum
and the arts district.
29

one powell san francisco
site
area distribution
location
market street, san francisco
units
44
architect
gensler, MBH, page & turnbull
studio
269 sf
lot size
26,229.63 sf
1 bedroom/ loft
269 sf
floors
8
2 bedroom/ loft
463 sf
FAR
n/a
buildable area
101,000 sf
zoning
C-G-3: ofice & retail [mixed use]
height restriction
110-x
57%
retail
44,000 sf
Bath
Bath
forever 21
22,000 sf
bank of america
22,000 sf
W/D
W/D
Bedroom/ Loft
Bath
Bedroom 2/
Loft
Kitchen
WIC
W/D
Kitchen
Kitchen
Closet Linen
Living
Living Room
Bedroom
Living Room
43%
studio 1 bedroom/ loft 2 bedroom/ loft
0
4 8
30
1/8” = 1’ - 0”

one powell san francisco
vertical circulation
commercial
retail
street interface
units
57,000 sf
forever 21
retail/units
22,000 sf
bank
forever 21
retail
22,000 sf
31

0 500 1,000 2,000 4,000
san francisco figure ground
0.00 ft 2,000 ft 4,000 ft 6,000 ft 8,000 ft
scale in ft
proximity relationships
- water
- parks
- views
- amenities
- street vendors
- transportation
32

0 500 1,000 2,000 4,000
san francisco museums
0.00 ft 2,000 ft 4,000 ft 6,000 ft 8,000 ft
scale in ft
33

0 500 1,000 2,000 4,000
san francisco streetcar/BART
0.00 ft 2,000 ft 4,000 ft 6,000 ft 8,000 ft
scale in ft
34

0 500 1,000 2,000 4,000
san francisco housing/apts
0.00 ft 2,000 ft 4,000 ft 6,000 ft 8,000 ft
scale in ft
35

0 500 1,000 2,000 4,000
san francisco street vendors/apts
0.00 ft 2,000 ft 4,000 ft 6,000 ft 8,000 ft
scale in ft
three twins ice cream
get goes mobile cafe
mantraah
red sauce meatballs
anzu to you
seoul of taipei
bacon bacon
adam’s grub truck
curry up now
senor sisig
adorubowl
liba falafel
peruchi
36

one museum mile
manhattan, new york
37

one museum mile new york
site
area distribution
location
architect
lot size
upper east side, manhattan
robert a.m. stern
48,723.2 sf
units
114
studio
801 sf
- northern views of Manhattan skyline
floors
19
1 bedroom
1,457 sf
FAR
buildable area
-
925,740.8 sf
- southern views of Manhattan skyline
2 bedroom
2,575 sf
zoning
C4-6 & R7-2: commercial use
- western views of Manhattan skyline
height restriction
no limit
- northern views of Manhattan skyline
3 bedroom/ penthouse 2,489 sf
- western views of Manhattan skyline
Bath
Powder
Foyer
8’ 2” x 7’ 4”
WIC
Bedroom 2
13’ 6” x15’ 0”
Master
Bath
- northern views of Manhattan skyline
WIC
Dining
13’ 1.5” x 9’ 7.5”
Kitchen
8’ 6.5” x 10’ 7”
Terrace
WIC
WIC
WIC
Bedroom 1
11’ 4” x 13’ 5”
Bath
Bedroom
13’ 0” x 16’ 0”
Living Room
13’ 6” x 18’ 10.5”
Living Room
19’ 10” x 14’ 1.5”
Dining Room
10’ 10.5” x 13’ 2”
Gallery
10’ 11” x 6’ 6.5”
70%
Kitchen
10’ 7” x10’ 4”
Foyer
Terrace
Terrace 2
Bedroom 3
13’ 0” x 11’ 0”
Master Bedroom
13’ 3.5” x 14’ 11.5”
Living &
Dining Room
14’ 2” x 15’ 11”
Bath 3
Kitchen
11’ 1.5” x 8’ 2”
Master Bath
Living Room
15’ 1” x 21’ 5”
Kitchen
10’ 7” x 8’ 6”
WIC
the africa center [museum]
Home Office
14’ 2” x 11’ 5”
Terrace 1
Dining Room
11’ 4” x 10’ 11”
Foyer
museum
informal exhibition
75,000 sf
5,000 sf
Foyer
Bath
Bedroom 2
12’ 3” x 12’ 1”
Bath 2 Bath 1
30%
felxible gallery
formal gallery
auditorium
15,000 sf
20,000 sf
15,000 sf
0 4 8 16
38
1/16” = 1’ - 0”

one museum mile new york
vertical circulation
gallery spaces [19,700 sf]
multi-media events [6,300 sf]
hotel
roof terraces
entrance hall [6,960 sf]
service [4,650 sf]
gallery parti walls
policy institute and hub [20,370 sf]
street interface
39

0 500 1,000 2,000 4,000
new york figure ground
0.00 ft 2,000 ft 4,000 ft 6,000 ft 8,000 ft
scale in ft
proximity relationships
- water
- parks
- views
- amenities
central park
- street vendors
- transportation
40

0 500 1,000 2,000 4,000
new york museum mile
0.00 ft 2,000 ft 4,000 ft 6,000 ft 8,000 ft
scale in ft
central park
41

0 500 1,000 2,000 4,000
new york transit mapping
0.00 ft 2,000 ft 4,000 ft 6,000 ft 8,000 ft
scale in ft
central park
42

0 500 1,000 2,000 4,000
new york housing/apartments/condos
0.00 ft 2,000 ft 4,000 ft 6,000 ft 8,000 ft
scale in ft
central park
43

0 500 1,000 2,000 4,000
new york street vendors/apts
0.00 ft 2,000 ft 4,000 ft 6,000 ft 8,000 ft
scale in ft
wafals and dinges
rickshaw dumpling truck
united halal food
sigmund pretzel cart
mexican food lady
central park
halal food cart
casbah - halal cart
vendy plaza
tacos y quesadillas
come n get it gourmet bbq
knish nosh
tacos el ranchero
potluck cafe food truck
44

art’otel
centrum, amsterdam
45

art’otel centrum, amsterdam
site
area distribution
location
architect
lot size
floors
FAR
buildable area
zoning
height restriction
amsterdam
adp architects
15,397.93 sf
6
-
69,965.42 sf
-
-
units
107
art room
269 sf
art room - iconic view 269 sf
art room xl
463 sf
art room xl - iconic view 398 sf
masterpiece suite 742 sf
gallery floor 3,229.17 sf
reception
250 p
gallery spaces
banquet
conference
120 p
90 p
Internal access to Park Plaza
Victoria Amsterdam
classroom
trade exhibit
180 p
20 booths
theater
120 p
Gallery 1 Gallery 2
gallery 1
663 sf
reception
90 p
Cloakroom
banquet
conference
55 p
20 p
Entrance from art’otel
amsterdam
kitchen, bar, library and lounge
Entrance from library
Foyer
Art Curtain
70%
classroom
trade exhibit
theater
gallery 2
reception
banquet
conference
classroom
trade exhibit
45 p
8 booths
65 p
639.38 sf
80 p
50 p
20 p
40 p
6 booths
theater
60 p
Smoking
Room
To indoor
swimming pool
and Health Club
Kitchen
Bar
kitchen, bar, library and lounge
kitchen
85 p
bar
150 p
library
40 p
Lounge
lounge
70 p
units
10%
Entrance to
Gallery
Library
Art Curtain
10%
museum spaces
kitchen,bar,library & lounge
Lobby
0 4 8 16
16
10%
46
pool, spa & gym

art’otel centrum, amsterdam
vertical circulation
gallery spaces
library, bar, lounge, eats
hotel units
roof
rooms
60,433.87 sf
museum
4,531.55 sf`
amenities
5,000 sf
47

0 500 1,000
2,000 4,000
amsterdam figure ground
0.00 ft
2,000 ft
4,000 ft 6,000 ft 8,000 ft
scale in ft
proximity relationships
- water
- parks
- views
- amenities
- street vendors
- transportation
48

0 500 1,000 2,000 4,000
amsterdam museum mapping
0.00 ft 2,000 ft 4,000 ft 6,000 ft 8,000 ft
scale in ft
49

0 500 1,000 2,000 4,000
amsterdam streetcar/ tram
0.00 ft 2,000 ft 4,000 ft 6,000 ft 8,000 ft
scale in ft
50

0 500 1,000 2,000 4,000
amsterdam housing
0.00 ft 2,000 ft 4,000 ft 6,000 ft 8,000 ft
scale in ft
51

0 500 1,000 2,000 4,000
amsterdam hotels
0.00 ft 2,000 ft 4,000 ft 6,000 ft 8,000 ft
scale in ft
proximity relationships
- water
- parks
- views
- amenities
- street vendors
- transportation
52

0 500 1,000 2,000 4,000
amsterdam street vendorship
0.00 ft 2,000 ft 4,000 ft 6,000 ft 8,000 ft
scale in ft
53

54

the hub: proposed
mid-wilshire, los angeles
55

site
area distribution
lot size
44,667.5 sf
housing
84,002.5 sf
FAR
buildable area
3:1
134,002.5 sf
level 1
level 2
17,800.5 sf
17,800.5 sf
zoning
C4 - commercial
level 3
17,800.5 sf
R4 - multi dwelling
level 4
17,800.5 sf
height restriction [8]
not applicable
level 5
17,800.5 sf
units
studio
600 sf
1-bed
800 sf
2-bed
900 sf
3-bed
1,100 sf
3-bed
63%
2-bed
1-bed
ground level
35,000 sf
studio
26%
formal gallery
informal gallery
work shop
athletic club
10,000 sf
5,000 sf
5,000 sf
5,000 sf
brewery/eatery
5,000 sf
art in motion [jiu jitsu]
5,000 sf
4%
green space
5,000 sf
subway station
48,700 sf
36%
56

gallery spaces
lounge spaces
storage
lavatory
office
subway platform & rail
ancillary
circulation
concourse threshold
urban workshop
athletic facilities
lockerroom
mechanical
bar
kitchen
jiu jitsu
housing
57

gallery spaces
lounge spaces
storage
lavatory
office
subway platform & rail
ancillary
circulation
concourse threshold
urban workshop
athletic facilities
lockerroom
mechanical
bar
kitchen
jiu jitsu
housing
pool lounge
housing
green space
jiu jitsu
athletic club
bar and lounge
urban workshop
informal gallery
formal gallery
subway
concourse
150 sf
platform/ rail lines 20,475 sf
time spotting -
security box
100 sf
ancillary
13,800 sf
elevator
100 sf
escalator
2,400 sf
lavatory (x2)
200 sf
48,700 sf
58

gallery spaces
lounge spaces
storage
lavatory
office
subway platform & rail
ancillary
circulation
concourse threshold
urban workshop
athletic facilities
lockerroom
mechanical
bar
kitchen
jiu jitsu
housing
pool lounge
housing
green space
jiu jitsu
athletic club
bar and lounge
urban workshop
informal gallery
formal gallery
subway
gallery space
7,250 sf
lounge
1,000 sf
library
1,000 sf
storage
400 sf
office
150 sf
lavatory
200 sf
mechanical -
10,000 sf
59

gallery spaces
lounge spaces
storage
lavatory
office
subway platform & rail
ancillary
circulation
concourse threshold
urban workshop
athletic facilities
lockerroom
mechanical
bar
kitchen
jiu jitsu
housing
pool lounge
housing
green space
jiu jitsu
athletic club
bar and lounge
urban workshop
informal gallery
formal gallery
subway
gallery space
3,400 sf
lounge
1,000 sf
storage
400 sf
lavatory
200 sf
mechanical -
5,000 sf
60

gallery spaces
lounge spaces
storage
lavatory
office
subway platform & rail
ancillary
circulation
concourse threshold
urban workshop
athletic facilities
lockerroom
mechanical
bar
kitchen
jiu jitsu
housing
pool lounge
housing
green space
jiu jitsu
athletic club
bar and lounge
urban workshop
informal gallery
formal gallery
subway
work area
4,650 sf
office
150 sf
lavatory
200 sf
mechanical -
5,000 sf
61

gallery spaces
lounge spaces
storage
lavatory
office
subway platform & rail
ancillary
circulation
concourse threshold
urban workshop
athletic facilities
lockerroom
mechanical
bar
kitchen
jiu jitsu
housing
pool lounge
housing
green space
jiu jitsu
athletic club
bar and lounge
urban workshop
informal gallery
formal gallery
subway
bar
800 sf
dining area
1,200 sf
kitchen
1,000 sf
dance floor
800 sf
stage
200 sf
outdoor lounge
200 sf
storage
400 sf
lavatory
200 sf
mech -
5,000 sf
62

gallery spaces
lounge spaces
storage
lavatory
office
subway platform & rail
ancillary
circulation
concourse threshold
urban workshop
athletic facilities
lockerroom
mechanical
bar
kitchen
jiu jitsu
housing
pool lounge
housing
green space
jiu jitsu
athletic club
bar and lounge
urban workshop
informal gallery
formal gallery
subway
office/ check-in
lobby
main gym
cycle-spin room
dance room
lockerroom [x2]
storage
lavatory
mechanical
100 sf
80 sf
1,300 sf
1,000 sf
1,000 sf
1,000 sf
120 sf
200 sf
200 sf
5,000 sf
63

gallery spaces
lounge spaces
storage
lavatory
office
subway platform & rail
ancillary
circulation
concourse threshold
urban workshop
athletic facilities
lockerroom
mechanical
bar
kitchen
jiu jitsu
housing
pool lounge
housing
green space
jiu jitsu
athletic club
bar and lounge
urban workshop
informal gallery
formal gallery
subway
mat area
reception
retail area
change room
lavatory [x2]
mechanical
4,400 sf
100 sf
100 sf
200 sf
200 sf
-
5,000 sf
64

gallery spaces
lounge spaces
storage
lavatory
office
subway platform & rail
ancillary
circulation
concourse threshold
urban workshop
athletic facilities
lockerroom
mechanical
bar
kitchen
jiu jitsu
housing
pool lounge
housing
green space
jiu jitsu
athletic club
bar and lounge
urban workshop
informal gallery
formal gallery
subway
green space
5,000 sf
65

gallery spaces
lounge spaces
storage
lavatory
office
subway platform & rail
ancillary
circulation
concourse threshold
urban workshop
athletic facilities
lockerroom
mechanical
bar
kitchen
jiu jitsu
housing
pool lounge
housing
green space
jiu jitsu
athletic club
bar and lounge
urban workshop
informal gallery
formal gallery
subway
studio
one bedroom
two bedroom
three bedroom
600 sf
800 sf
900 sf
1,100 sf
84,002.5 sf
66

gallery spaces
lounge spaces
storage
lavatory
office
subway platform & rail
ancillary
circulation
concourse threshold
urban workshop
athletic facilities
lockerroom
mechanical
bar
kitchen
jiu jitsu
housing
pool lounge
housing
green space
jiu jitsu
athletic club
bar and lounge
urban workshop
informal gallery
formal gallery
subway
pool
lounge area
pool lounge
bar
kitchen
lavatory
storage
mechanical
500 sf
1,000 sf
1,000 sf
1,000 sf
500 sf
400 sf
200 sf
-
4,600 sf
67

68

process and massing
After following the set criteria for the selected site and prescription of program. The
same criterion was used in selecting case studies for the incorporation of foreign
program into the site. An understanding of building typology was necessary as a
starting point to massing. The end result is a U-shape courtyard typology acting as a
plinth with a tower situated on top that sheds importance on views, orientation, light,
and public space. The initial massing was an indication of 3 factors in regards to the
thesis statement: interface and vitality; transparency; vertical extension.
Interface + Vitality: The additive interface of program components create opportunity
for urban interaction within the building while also producing a set of datum
lines that indicate points of transit thresholds and walking patterns. Foreign program
is then subtracted from the form to produce the boundaries of access, views, and
public spaces.
Transparency: Stemming from the Athletic Club in New York by Rem Koolhaas
that conditions the combination of program, use, and space to produce a sense
of “retroactive manhattan’ism.” For this thesis, it is a highly public and transparent
building framework that iterates permeable and convoluted floor plates to promote
retroactive LA’ism. Each floor plate could perform differently and suggest the intercourse
of urban activity. The building would be wrapped in a porous layer of skin to
protect the program, yet display its nature.
Vertical Extension: The vertical extension of the city that incorporates the intensification
of floor plates at the interface of program that is wrapped in a complex shell.
The complex shell is the result of a tectonic event from the vertical extension of the
city. When the two are introduced, the floor plates are manipulated to create vertical
spatial relationships. The floor plates, the shell, and the spatial relationship contain
the essential quality of urban vitality and intercourse in the vertical extension. That
language is also represented in the structure of the building as the primary structure
holds the constituents of the hub and the shell acts as the secondary structural
system as the hubs container.
69

subtract
divide
add
multiply
sum
70

plinth
court
L-shape
-shape
71

interface & vitality
site
transit thresholds
pedestrian traffic
food truck
program massing
program voids
urban voids
urban circulation
72

interface & vitality
site
transit thresholds
pedestrian traffic
food truck
views
access
public spaces
housing addition
(-) foreign program
73

transparency
site
circulation
pedestrian traffic
transit threshold
food truck
permeable floor plates
74

transparency
site
circulation
pedestrian traffic
transit threshold
food truck
75

76
vertical extension + tectonic event

vertical extension + tectonic event
77

vertical extension
site
transit thresholds
pedestrian traffic
food truck
78

vertical extension
private
mixed human traffic
public
site
transit thresholds
pedestrian traffic
food truck
79

structural analysis

structural skin
81

1/32
4th level 60’
0’ 8’ 16’ 32’
1/32
parking level -30’
0’ 8’ 16’ 32’
1/32
3rd level 40’
0’ 8’ 16’ 32’
1/32
parking level -45’
0’ 8’ 16’ 32’
1/32
2nd level 20’
0’ 8’ 16’ 32’

wilshire blvd.
s. orange grove ave
s. ogden dr.
1/32
19th - 23rd level 256’ - 304’
0’ 8’ 16’ 32’
1/32
1st level 0’
0’ 8’ 16’ 32’
1/32
18th level 236’
0’ 8’ 16’ 32’
1/32
12th - 17th level 164’ - 224’
0’ 8’ 16’ 32’
1/32
6th, 8th, 10th level 92’, 116’, 140’
0’ 8’ 16’ 32’
1/32
parking level -15’
0’ 8’ 16’ 32’
1/32
5th level 80’
0’ 8’ 16’ 32’
83

n/s
perspective section

396’
316’
304’
292’
280’
268’
248’
236’
224’
212’
200’
188’
176’
164’
152’
district context
topo
points of interest
sub-cultures
food
140’
128’
116’
104’
92’
80’
wilshire blvd
transit stops
60’
middle schools
museum
40’
site
20’
lacma
0’
n/s
section
-15’
-30’
-45’

n/s
north elevation

the hub:
visible certainty
87

n/s
street view

n/s
interior view

90

91

92
main entrance

housing view 93

night visual
94
terrace level

night visual
night image + pool lounge 95

night visual
96
section perspective

night visual
top perspective
97

night visual
98
ground perspective

night visual
ground perspective
99

night visual
100
aerial perspective

night visual
aerial perspective
101

precedents + appendix
+ greenwich south district
+ markthal
+ mccormick tribune campus center
+ park tower
+ the downtown athletic club
102

greenwich south district
architect + LTL architects
client + downtown alliance initiative
location + greenwich, ny
date + 2009
typology + urban development south district vision
summary
LTL Architects was commissioned to create a new vision for New York’s Greenwich district
that is at a loss for urban context and a dissolved identity in relation to the urban fabric.
Environmental and economic viability was critical to the sustainability of quality of life and
sustainable functions. They considered the urban infrastructure as a sustainable feature to
the urban context. The intensification of mixed-uses was stressed to create a reconnection
or anchor for the east and west that was divided. One of the key concepts was to build
for density at the urban scale and create places of interest for the user and visitors. The
infrastructure would contain proximity to pedestrian and cycling thoroughfares to common
destinations associated within and surrounding Greenwich.
takeaway
The paradigm shift of the auto-centric area to bicycle and walkable thoroughfares conceives
a better urban identity and context of the sustainable vison. The design idealizes
a compact urban community with development potential, mixed-use housing and retail,
viable amenities along a pedestrian scale thoroughfare, and implementing sustainable
factors on a district-wide scale. The horizontal relationship of this vision and urban landscape
could perhaps be manipulated into a vertical structure. Auto-centric communities
can potentially be manipulated in section to produce complex and multi-use spaces functioning
upward in vertical sprawl.
103

markthal
architect + MVRDV
client + n/a
location + rotterdam,netherlands
date + 2014
typology + market
summary + takeaway
Designed by MVRDV, is a market hall that contains housing, market produce stalls, food
related retail units, preparation and cooling space, and a supermarket. The open and airy
horseshoe quality to the structure and farmer’s market feel embodies a social nature free
to the public and its inhabitants. It is located in proximity to various transit lines and acts
as a primary hub enveloping the housing and retail aspect in a much more innovative approach.
No, one, function is misguided or disrupted. They all share a cooperative sense of
place and social interaction. For example, the windows that lines the interior of the market
act as a “fish bowl” view of the complex social interactions and business structure below.
The user in the market can look up to find different highlighted images of food varieties set
into the inner cladding of the building. Similar to a fly’s attraction to the light, the panels
provoke the user to look up and conjure a deep relationship to the building and its use.
104

mccormick tribune campus center
architect + OMA - rem koolhaas
client + illinois institute of technology
location + chicago
date + 2003
typology + educational MTA site
summary
This campus center seeks to revitalize the urbanism that was lacking on the site and can
be an indicator to future mixed-use development. It serves as the main focal point on the
campus and is the main transit thoroughfare splitting through the campus and into Downtown
Chicago. Great emphasis and study was also placed on pedestrian walking traffic
and common paths throughout the campus. OMA represented the study in plan and created
an entire new pathway system within the building and throughout the entire campus.
The walkways create interesting points of interests and social gathering spaces creating a
sense of identity and context to the urban fabric of the site.
takeaway
Though it as an educational site, this transit hub sets the tone for transit oriented design on
the pedestrian and urban scale. The regeneration of the campus and its identity to the urban
context runs seamlessly with the production of pedestrian and transit thoroughfares to
points of interest or destinations within and outside the campus. The intersecting diagonal
pedestrian and cycling paths link multiple networks of interior streets, plazas, and urban
islands to form neighborhoods in a sense. The program holds a variety of uses that are
functional and appropriate for the site. On its own, it has turned into a TOD as it connects to
the university housing dissecting through the campus. The architecture is the unifying element
to the campus with the sloping concrete roof that maintains and protects the L-Line
that provocatively pierces through the building. The flexibility of spaces and program offer
a unique educational environment and experience.
105

park tower
architect + LTL architects
client + venice architecture biennele
location + n/a
date + 2004
typology + garage typology
summary
LTL Architects was commissioned to envision the future of the parking garage. The idea of
clean and fuel-independency in the future of the auto-centric community would play a role
in the design. The garage is showcased as a drive-up tower that offers density and multiuse
facilities transcending up the urban core of the building. Mixing the sequence of uses
and interlacing them in section gave the project complexity and depth of spaces. Though
complex, the interstitial workings of the amenities, retail, and common thoroughfares were
defined and delineated by different programs. This offered double, triple or quadruple
uses to the programs linked to one another in section.
takeaway
The theory of mixed-use functions per program in section can create provocative relationships
that could be seen in mixed-use design. Park Tower also portrays the intensification
of the high rise as a vertical sprawl, and evaluates the essentials one would need to go
about daily life. The vertical relationship associated with the parking garage can be easily
developed into a horizontal affiliation that provides transit and pedestrian paths to proximities
and offer diverse settings along the urban context. This concept serves as an extreme
version of mixed technologies that act sustainably while creating social enclaves.
106

the downtown athletic club
architect + rem koolhaas
client + n/a
location + manhattan, new york
date + 1931
typology + machine for metropolitan bachelors
summary
“We in New York celebrate the black mass of Materialism. We are concrete. We have body.
We have sex. We are male to the core. We divinize matter, energy, motion, change.”
-Benjamin de Casseres, Mirrors of New York
Floors 1-12 + corresponded to increased subtlety and unconventionality of the
“programs” offered on each platform.
Floors 13-16 + devoted to eating, resting and socializing
Floors 17-19 + after their stringent work outs on the lower floors, the athletes - puritanical
hedonists to a manare finally, in condition to confront the opposite sex - women - on a small
rectangular dance floor on the 17th·story roof garden.
Floors 20-35 + bedrooms.
takeaway
The notion of a skyscraper as a constructivist social condenser acting as a machine for
generating and intensifying desirable forms of human intercourse. In that, the idea of “Retroactive
Manhattanism” that one could be naked, wearing boxing gloves, eating oysters,
and drinking a martini at the sametime. Convoluted and transparent relationships then
begin to develop on all levels to choreograph the intercourse of activity in a vertical relationship.
107

eferences
Existing Narrative + Methods
1. Southern California Association of Governments. Growth Forecast Appendix: Regional Transporta
tion Plan 2012-2035, RTP. April, 2012.
2. US Census: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/06037.html
3. USA TODAY: http://www.usatoday.com/story/moneycars/2013/05/04/worst-traffic-cities/2127661/
4. The Purple Line Extension: https://www.metro.net/projects/westside/
5. Demographics per metro ridership: http://www.barrywaite.org/gis/projects/spring-2103/Markovitz.
pdf
6. Translink Strategic Planning and Policy. Transit-Oriented Communities Design Guidelines. Burna
by, BC: Translink.ca
7. Ewing, R. (1995). “Beyond Density, Mode Choice, and Single-Purpose Trips.” Transportation Quar
terly, 49(4), 15-24.
8. Barnes, G. (2005). “The Importance of Trip Destination in Determining Transit Market Share.” Jour
nal of Public Transportation, 8(2), 1-15.
Existing Narrative + Methods (reference appendix)
9. Affordable Housing Online: http://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-search/California/Los-An
geles/Wilshire-Vermont-Station/71015/
10. Chung, Chuihua J. Inaba, Jeffrey. Koolhas, Rem. Leong, Sze T. The Harvard Design School Guide
to Shopping / Harvard Design School Project on the City 2. April, 2002.
11. Courtyard at La Brea. California Tax Credit Allocation Committee: Project Staff Report.
Project Number: CA-2011-897. October, 2011. Found Here: http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/ctcac/
staff/2011/20111018/897.pdf
12. Courtyard at La Brea: http://architizer.com/projects/the-courtyard-at-la-brea/
13. Demographics in Central Los Angeles: http://maps.latimes.com/neighborhoods/region/central-la/
14. Downtown Alliance: http://www.downtownny.com/sites/default/files/research/Tabloid1_0.pdf
15. Farr, Douglas. Sustainable Urbanism : Urban Design with Nature. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley, 2008.
16. Fritsch, Jonas. Thomsen, Bodil Marie Stavning. An Ethology of Urban Fabric(s). Aarhus University.
Peer-Reviewed Journal. 3, 2014.
17. Fuksas, Massimiliano. Mandrelli, Doriana O. Emporio Armani. Chater House, Hong Kong. Pub
lished by ACTAR. Barcelona, 2002.
108

18. Housing Element 2013-2021: http://planning.lacity.org/HousingInitiatives/HousingElement/Tex
t/0ES.pdf
19. Housing Element Initiative: http://planning.lacity.org/HousingInitiatives/HousingElement/Text/Ch1.
pdf
20. HUD: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/comm_planning/affordable
housing
21. Jerde Partnership. Streetscape of The Vermont. Found Here: http://www.architectmagazine.com/
project-gallery/the-vermont-6524
22. LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/la-fi-property-report-20140605-story.html
23. Lewis, Paul. “Optimism Opportunism”. Lecture. University of Michigan. Winter Lecture Series (Con
struction): https://vimeo.com/36087682
24. MyFigueroa & Mobility Plan 2035. 2015. Found Here: http://www.myfigueroa.com/about
25. New Railroad Square: http://www.challc.com/
26. Ray, R. Ong, P. Jimenez, S. “Impacts of the Widening Divide: Los Angeles at the Forefront of the
Rent Burden Crisis.” Center for the Study of Inequality UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. (July,
2014)
27. Sierra Bonita: http://www.tighearchitecture.com/#!sierrabonita/c1552/
28. Zocalo Discussion: http://www.latimes.com/opinion/livable-city/la-ol-metro-gentrifica
tion-20151012-story.html
Interviews
1. Dieden, Michael. In Person Communication, Nov 02, 2015.
2. Phone interview: Kimberly McKay, Executive Vice President of Bridge Housing Corporation.
Precedents - Appendix
1. Greenwich South District. Found here: http://ltlarchitects.com/greenwich-south/
2. Markthal. Found Here: http://www.archdaily.com/553933/markthal-rotterdam-mvrdv
3. McCormick Tribune Campus Center. Found here:http://oma.eu/projects/iit-mccormick-tribune-cam
pus-center
4. Park Tower. Found here: http://ltlarchitects.com/park-tower/
5. The Downtown Athletic Club. Found here: http://www.arch.cuhk.edu.hk/server1/course/21c5321/02_
Readings/01_Required/09_Koolhaas_Downtown%20Athletic%20Club.pdf
109