VerspreidenH

otel

The Design ProblemIn an effort to increase tourism in the Broadway District of Los Angeles and to bring new life to what was once a dynamic and energetic area, the city of LA sought to create new lodging facilities in this area. Thus, the Verspreiden Hotel was born. As the new star of the Broadway District, this boutique hotel was designed to inhabit an underutilized, and previously run-down, 7-story retail space. The design of the hotel called for an innovative façade treatment that would be responsive to the solar orientation of the building in order to create comfortable and strikingly beautiful interior spaces.

Project ConstraintsThe site for the hotel was an awkward size of 26’ wide by 150’ in length. What made for a unique design problem was that, being in a downtown setting, the site for the hotel was surrounded by other buildings. Therefore, the only existing natural light entered on one of the 26’ sides of the building. Other project constraints required the inclusion of a minimum of: 14 guest rooms and bathrooms, a lobby, a pool, and a bar area.

The ConceptThe concept for the Verspreiden Hotel was inspired by the microscopic view of a leaf. Akin to the human circulatory system, a plant also has a circulatory system that carries nutrients through it’s cells. When examined microscopically, a plant’s leaf contains veins similar to those in the human body. As the design for the hotel developed, two corresponding concepts emerged through the exploration of the leaf vein patterns informing how light is distributed and views are shaped.

Design ApproachFurther exploration of the two primary concepts continued to evolve throughout the design process. In addition to shaping light and views, the leaf vein patterns took on additional interpretations. First, that the form and shape of these veining patterns informed the finishes throughout the hotel, especially the façade treatment. Second, that the meandering nature of the vein patterns shaped the circulation throughout the space, becoming the primary basis of the expansive ramp systems that dominate the finished design.

Design SolutionIn order to achieve maximum natural daylight entering the space, the hotel was split into two towers, accessed by a series of ramps that spans between them. The South Tower contains the Lobby and 4 guest suites. The North Tower contains a loft-like lounging deck for the pool, 10 guest rooms, and a private staff area. The pool was designed as a subterranean feature that spans the entire basement and can be seen from the ramps that span between the two towers.

The ramps, were a dominant feature of the design and were not meant to function merely as circulatory elements. They also became gathering spaces for people to cross paths between the two towers and to create vantage points from which to survey other people and activity. At any given location along one of these ramps one could be able to see throughout the entire atrium space and even peak into the subterranean pool. On the third floor, the ramp actually swells in width to accommodate the bar. And on the other floors, this “swell” effect allows for bench seating to encourage guests to experience the ramps and gather together. The material of the ramps is a laser cut metal that mimics the form and shape of the leaf veins. As light passes through the metal a beautiful pattern of dappled light is scattered throughout the atrium.

Facade Exterior Elevation

The Verspreiden Hotel called upon the design and implementation of a facade system that would be incredibly unique, beautiful, and functional. The original 6’ x 10’ “Vascular” curtain wall was reshaped to t the exterior of the hotel.

With the hotel facing south, it was incredibly important to create a facade treatment that would shape solar heat gain and minimize temperature uctuation in the interior.

In addition, it was important to shape views from the interior to the exterior and vice versa. On the ground oor, the facade is densely populated with cells, but the subtraction of some cells give way to a preview of the interior for those passing by on the street.

Facad

e

The design process for the exterior facade began with the veining patterns of a leaf. These patterns were then manipulated into 3D objects that could be manufactured using Fuse Deposition Modeling.

1.1 Initial Inspiration Image

1.2 Digitally Traced Outline

1.3 Subdivided Polygons

Initial Extrusion and Cell Rotation

2.1 2.2 2.3

2.1

2.2

2.3

Subsequent Extrusion Blocks Solar Heat Gain in Summer and Disperses Solar Illumination in Winter

Final Sculpted Configuration

The final product is a series of individual cells that formed the facade treatment. These cells are intended to be individually fabricated using a base material of recycled wood flour.

Summer

WinterElevation

Section

Prototype Elevation

Fabricated Prototype CellFacade Elevation

Massin

g

In a backwards approach to a more standard design process, color palette was considered first. This approach lent itself to an organization of spaces based on color. In the guest rooms and guest suites the color choices respond to the design concept by balancing warm and cool finishes in response to the solar orientation of the structure.

South Tower- Guest Suites

North Tower- Guest Rooms

South Tower- Lobby

North Tower- Staff Area

Basement- Pool Area

Facade Fabricated with Fuse Deposition Modeling out of wood flour

Glass Printed with Leaf Vein Pattern

South Tower

NorthTower

East Section

Pla

ns &

Sectio

n

Basement

1st Floor

2nd Floor

3rd-6th Floors: Typical Plan

1

1. Open to Below2. Exit Ramp3. Trash Area4. Laundry Area5. Break Room

2

34

5

1. Lobby/ Seating Area2. Guest Services Desk3. Additional Seating4. Ramp Seating5. Open to Below6. Guest Room

1

2

3

46 5

6

1. Public Restrooms2. Storage Area3. Exit Stair4. Main Pool5. Jacuzzi6. Lounging Area

1

2

3

456

5

1. Guest Suite2. Balcony3. Guest Room4. Atrium, Open to Below5. Bar, 3rd Floor Only

12

3

4

5

2

2

43

Bent Plywood Sealed with Protective Sheer Stain

Stacked Stone Between Layers of Plywood

Honed Concrete Jacuzzi Surround

Natural Slate Stone Floor

Pool

Metalic Orange Paint Finish

Silver Material Printed on Glass Fenestrationin Leaf Vein Pattern

Black Terrazzo Floor Laser Cut Aluminum Cladding

Lob

by

Benjamin Moore Paintin Juniper

Reclaimed Oak FloorsLaser Cut Curtainsin Copper Mesh

White Lacquer Finish

GOES GREAT WITH

SIMILAR COLORS

MORE SHADES

juniper2048-20

A rich, deep green that takes its name from thearomatic juniper berry, this color works beautifully withoff-white and neutral tones.

Guest R

oom

s

Benjamin Moore Paintin Passion Plum

Silver Material Printed on Glass Fenestrationin Leaf Vein Pattern

Reclaimed Wood Floors in Shell Stain

Iridescent Recycled Glass Tile in Eggplant

Guest S

uite

s