21st Century PDC

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Major Improvements Underway at PDC

Complementing the Pacific Design Center’s status as a premier resource center for the design industry, two original, large-scale stainless steel sculptures of a chair known as "Seat of Design", and a lamp known as "Illuminating Design", have have been unveiled. The sculptures, by renowned design firm, Selbert Perkins - who designed the celebrated Gateway Design for the Los Angeles World Airport (LAX) - were created to reflect the pure nature of the innovative design industry. Anchoring the east and west corners of the PDC on Melrose, the sculptures will reflect all of the spectacular treasures that lie within. With their monumental size and clean, dramatic forms, these sculptures serve to become global beacons of design for the world-famous PDC, and also for the creative city of West Hollywood. Click here for more information. "Illuminating Design" "Seat of Design" Click here for more information on the sculptures. The Pacific Design Center has completed major improvements of all public areas. According to Walt Thomas, Principal of the Los Angeles architectural firm AREA, "the renovation’s goal was to maintain the original concept of architect Cesar Pelli’s design while addressing issues of warmth, acoustics and lighting." To achieve these goals, the existing ceilings and floors throughout the Blue Building have been removed. The open ceiling has been sprayed with a light-absorbing coating. The floor will have a stained concrete topping slab inset with stainless steel bars. PDC’s interior columns have been fitted with etched glass jackets concealing a light source to provide ambient and low-level lighting. The glowing columns will be topped with capitals of acoustical material banded in steel, adding much-needed sound absorption. Sleek stainless steel rods throughout the space will support spherical light fixtures. The Blue Building’s key entry points are distinguished with tensile structures that reflect light and enhance acoustics. Electronic signs and touch screen kiosks provide guests with directional assistance to the showrooms. According to Joe Kaplan, Principal of Kaplan Partners Architectural Lighting, "the exterior lighting was designed to enhance the iconic beauty of the PDC, up close and from around the city." In the Green Building, the escalator tower has become the new main entrance. With showrooms as well as creative office spaces, the new Green Building entrance reflect a more corporate identity through the use of different materials. Showroom windows are the brightly illuminated focal points of all floors, which will also enjoy carpeted floor inserts. New restrooms throughout both buildings feature sensor-activated fixtures and color-coded glass wall tiles. The Melrose Avenue entrance plaza has been dramatically transformed into a lush undulating landscape called Wave Park. According to landscape architect Thomas Balsey, "waving lawn panels will soften the entrance area into a park-like public space. Monumental sculptures anchor the east and west corners, announcing the wonders that lie within the doorways." "By carefully enhancing the PDC’s existing design concepts," said Walt Thomas, "it remains a Los Angeles architectural icon".