8150 Sunset Boulevard
(Image copyright Visualhouse)
In August 2016, developers Townscape Partners unveiled design concepts by the legendary architect Frank Gehry for a mixed-use development at 8150 Sunset Boulevard – on Los Angeles’ iconic ‘Sunset Strip’.
Gehry’s plan, one of several design alternatives proposed by Townscape for the site, features five interrelated and complementary structures, including two residential buildings, as well as distinct buildings and green spaces for retail, entertainment, and public gathering.
The Gehry plan addresses specific design needs for the 8150 Sunset Boulevard site, including the desirability of creating welcoming pedestrian spaces between the buildings, keeping the Sunset Boulevard street front height low - to relate in scale to other buildings in the area - and optimising views of the city from the two residential structures.
This is in contrast to the traditional view of such developments as residential towers on a podium. Instead, the Gehry design establishes five distinctive structures, each with its own character and all united at a common plaza accessible from the street level, with parking offered entirely below grade.
The three-storey retail building that sits at street level, along Sunset Boulevard, will have glulam mullions supporting a glass curtain wall, and will feature a marquee element. There will be an interior open-air plaza, the centre of which will hold the ‘jewel’ in the heart of the project; a structure whose facade is made of stone cylinders and cones and which will house programmable space and retail.
Landscape is an integral part of Gehry’s overall architectural concept, both at the ground-level central plaza and the various terraces in the building design. The buildings feature stepping terraces at both ends of Sunset Boulevard, mediating the scale at these intersections to the street level. All terraces will feature landscape and trees visible from east and west vantage points along Sunset. Additional landscape elements climb into the upper parts of the project, creating amenity and terraces for residents as well as stitching the project into the Hollywood hillside, topped with a landscaped roof.
Comprising around 334,000 sq ft (31,000m2) of space and 249 residential units, and already certified as a California Environmental Leadership Development Project (ELDP), the buildings are expected to achieve a LEED environmental rating of Silver or higher and will add net-zero additional emissions of greenhouse gases.
All content and images courtesy of Gehry Partners.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
A brief description of a smart construction dashboard, collecting as-built data, as a s site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure bill oulined
With reactions from IHBC and others on its potential impacts.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.