LOS ANGELES | METRO Project Rundown 2.0 (non-downtown)

[badrunner]

I think it looks good from certain angles. From some others it looks like a freeway overpass. I think it could become an iconic building, in time. But mostly I like what it does to the grounds of LACMA. It opens it up and makes it more inviting from the street. Previously it was a like a fortress wall fronting Wilshire. Not inviting at all.

Originally Posted by sopas ej

I'm sure I'm in the extreme minority, but I'm optimistic it'll look cool once all the temporary structures and fencing come down, and the building is totally completed.

The following photos by Paul Clemence/LACMA:


Paul Clemence/LACMA


Paul Clemence/LACMA


Paul Clemence/LACMA


Paul Clemence/LACMA


Paul Clemence/LACMA


Paul Clemence/LACMA

Link, plus more pictures: Peter Zumthor’s Vision Takes Shape: Paul Clemence Releases LACMA Progress Photos

[ReDSPork02]

reserving my final judgement. Hopefully it gets better when it's finished. and Dressed.

[Illithid Dude]

I won't. That building is ugly as hell! Doubly embarrassing considering it's going to open up at the same time and as such directly compete against the far superior Lucas Museum. And it's not like LACMA even has that great of a collection... It is far outclassed by the Norton Simon and the Getty.

[BrandonJXN]

On some angles, it looks like a cool mid century low slung mansion that maybe Richard Neutra would reside in. It also looks like a Acura dealership in La Puente. The windows not matching the curvature of the building is a huge miss.

[wisheye]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

I won't. That building is ugly as hell! Doubly embarrassing considering it's going to open up at the same time and as such directly compete against the far superior Lucas Museum. And it's not like LACMA even has that great of a collection... It is far outclassed by the Norton Simon and the Getty.

Its collection isn't far outclassed by the Getty. Especially when the Perenchio grant gets added, LACMA is going to be on level terms or even stronger than the Getty. Norton Simon is a different matter mainly because it's all killer, with no filler.

Anyway that's actually what I like about the LA museum scene. Sure there are no mega museums like a Met or a Louvre but there are so many good options in different parts of the city for spending an excellent afternoon with some great collections.

[sopas ej]

Originally Posted by BrandonJXN

The windows not matching the curvature of the building is a huge miss.

As I mentioned in a previous post, and plinko confirmed, the windows match the curvature and angles of the floor outline, not the roof, as shown in this plan view posted by homebucket; you can see this by the dotted outline of the floor, within the solid outline of the roof:


I like that it'll have a theater again; I remember back in the 1990s seeing going to a few film series there, but I guess with the Academy Museum nearby now, they'll have to change their programming.

[sopas ej]

Originally Posted by wisheye

Its collection isn't far outclassed by the Getty. Especially when the Perenchio grant gets added, LACMA is going to be on level terms or even stronger than the Getty. Norton Simon is a different matter mainly because it's all killer, with no filler.

Anyway that's actually what I like about the LA museum scene. Sure there are no mega museums like a Met or a Louvre or but there are so many good options in different parts of the city for spending an excellent afternoon with some great collections.

I agree with you.

I always thought the Getty was too Eurocentric. I know that the art there was the personal collection of the Getty guy, but I never cared for a lot of the permanent collections on display (Baroque furniture and rococo paintings just aren't my thing); the gardens are more of a draw for me than the art. In fact within the first 5 years or so after the (newer) Getty first opened, my partner and I would write the people at the Getty to ask them if they could display more non-western art for their special exhibits. Over the years they've finally done that. The Getty Villa is cool for what it is, and occasionally they'll do antiquities exhibits from other continents.

I like that LACMA has a far more comprehensive collection of art from different cultures. I love their African art, their Asian art, their art from the Pacific, Middle Eastern art, their Modern art, etc.

[LAsam]

^ You must enjoy the downstairs portion of the Norton Simon Museum. That place is a treasure trove for Asian artwork and practically in your backyard!

[sopas ej]

Originally Posted by LAsam

^ You must enjoy the downstairs portion of the Norton Simon Museum. That place is a treasure trove for Asian artwork and practically in your backyard!

Oh yes! The Asian art at the Norton Simon is top notch. I particularly love the Gandhara Buddhas they have.

But of course I think the Norton Simon is a very good museum.

[Illithid Dude]

The best part of LACMA is their collection of Japanese art. Everything else can be found better at a different LA museum. Though I will say, we are lucky to have so many museums in Los Angeles that an argument like this is even possible.

[caligrad]

^^^ I agree. I didn't realize how many Museums LA had until i had family in from out of town. The Lucas coming on board soon is going to be amazing.

[ajbeaver25]

Progress is being made on century city center, took these photos yesterday.

[LAisthePlace]

Saw it in person today (while catching the excellent Ed Ruscha exhibit) and it looks phenomenal.

Grand, monumental, almost prehistoric, and blending well with La Brea Tar Pits, recent Renzo Piano Buildings (BCAM and the Academy Museum), the Pavillion for Japanese art and the rest of Hancock Park.

I think a lot of people are going to eat crow when it is said and done.

Will be even better when all the scaffolding and fencing are down and it will be imho, one of the best museum campuses in the country.

Originally Posted by badrunner

I think it looks good from certain angles. From some others it looks like a freeway overpass. I think it could become an iconic building, in time. But mostly I like what it does to the grounds of LACMA. It opens it up and makes it more inviting from the street. Previously it was a like a fortress wall fronting Wilshire. Not inviting at all.

[BrandonJXN]

Originally Posted by caligrad

^^^ I agree. I didn't realize how many Museums LA had until i had family in from out of town. The Lucas coming on board soon is going to be amazing.

I still need to see the Museum of Death in Hollywood. Always wanted to go there. Underrated museum: Museum of Tolerance.

[LAsam]

Originally Posted by BrandonJXN

I still need to see the Museum of Death in Hollywood. Always wanted to go there. Underrated museum: Museum of Tolerance.

Then there's the Museum of Jurassic Technology. Can't forget that one!

[dktshb]

Is the subway stop in Century City going to be at Ave of the Stars and Constellation or back on Century Park East and Constellation? I will think of it as another valued engineered failure if it is back on Century Park East.

[38 Geary]

Originally Posted by dktshb

Is the subway stop in Century City going to be at Ave of the Stars and Constellation or back on Century Park East and Constellation? I will think of it as another valued engineered failure if it is back on Century Park East.

The Century City/Constellation station box will be located under Constellation Bl between Century Park East and Solar Way (between Avenue for the Stars and Century Park West), with a station entrance at the northeast corner of Constellation Bl and Avenue of the Stars. Situated in the center of one of the county’s biggest job hubs, it is anticipated that thousands will board and alight during their daily commute.

https://www.metro.net/projects/purple-section2/

[dktshb]

Wonderful. Thanks for posting. I was concerned people would have to walk to and from Century Park East, which would not have been ideal.

[38 Geary]

Originally Posted by dktshb

Wonderful. Thanks for posting. I was concerned people would have to walk to and from Century Park East, which would not have been ideal.

Yeah, at least it's in an ideal location. I was wondering though, do most of LA Metro's subway stations typically only have one exit?

[hughfb3]

Originally Posted by dktshb

Is the subway stop in Century City going to be at Ave of the Stars and Constellation or back on Century Park East and Constellation? I will think of it as another valued engineered failure if it is back on Century Park East.

That site which you speak of is the tunnel boring machine launch site for the phase 2. I do wonder what will become of this space once Metro is done with it, maybe a residential tower?? The station box is at Constellation and Ave of the Stars and is on both sides of Ave of Stars for future possible connections to the mall or Fairmont site... the mall turned down a direct entrance during the scoping/planning stage. I think Metro did the opposite of value engineer and went straight for the jugular with this station, now its up to the landlords on the other side to allow an entrance.

Originally Posted by homebucket

Yeah, at least it's in an ideal location. I was wondering though, do most of LA Metro's subway stations typically only have one exit?

I'd say there's more with multiple entrance/exit portals than those with only one. All Downtown stations have multiple entrances as well as both SF Valley stations. Also, Vermont Santa Monica and Vermont Sunset have 2 entrance portals, even if on one side it's only an elevator whereas if it were stairs or an escalator it would seem like it's another entrance. Those elevators can be quite hidden on the other side of Vermont at Sunset. It's 8 of the 16 stations with multiple entrances but MacArthur Park is a toss-up depending on how one counts multiple entrances.

In the past few years, Metro has added station entrances at North Hollywood Station for access to the G Line busway and at 7th Street/Metro Center opening up access to The Bloc retail mall and the south side of the street and has beefed up its accessibility at Universal city with bridges connection the two entrances and the Studio/Theme Park.