1302 La Brea

1302 La Brea is a two-story retail building south of Mid-Wilshire with 80,000 square feet of retail with three levels of parking. In response to the lot size and dimensions, 1302 La Brea hosts a long horizontal proportion and follows the curvature of the boulevard. The building is situated in a retail desert and adjacent to heavy vehicle traffic. Responding to this environment, the building’s functions brings a needed retail space including a grocery store wrapped with a façade was designed to be experienced from a vehicle and public transit.

Inspired by the curvature of the street, the rounded corner of San Vicente Boulevard, and the abundant bi-directional traffic, the use of lenticular aluminum fins are utilized. This approach emphasizes a vertical component that complements the horizontality of the building and speaks to the views from traffic. Over 220 25′ tall custom-fabricated lenticular ACM fins march along the second-story volume of the building and extending around the corner of San Vicente, pausing to afford signage for the retail tenants within.