The final Thesis as required by Cal State Poly Pomona’s Master of Interior Architecture department, is a grueling 2-part project that involves a sacrificial spring lamb, or a young wild goat of your choice. Oh wait, that’s the Old Testament. But I guarantee you’ll be sacrificing something, like your soul, for the most unforgiving 6 months of your life.
After 600 hours of blood sweat & tears, I finally presented the hypothetical project to a board of architects and my highly competitive peers. It was like the Hunger Games for designers, but without the teenage love triangle. I stood there, sweating through my silk blouse like some sort of farm animal.
The outcome? Let’s just say I gave the professor a crotch chop with a “booyah” on my way out. Now I’m going to dangle this project out on the inter-webs like bait.
Commune LA
Commune LA is a multi-use commercial compound that embraces a local approach to products, services and design. Everything from the design concept down to the cocktail menu is rooted in local based resources and inspired by the Los Angeles entrepreneurial spirit.
The appeal of Commune LA is anchored by the farm-to-table restaurant located on the ground level. The compound is supplemented with a one of a kind shopping experience where start up manufacturers and artisans are able to afford their own individual retail environments. Essentially they support one another by collectively sharing communal space, customers and resources. The property also features a backyard green space for community-focused events, making Commune LA a platform for being socially beneficial.
The design of the space has an industrial and masculine vibe, which is representative of the garment factories that came to Los Angeles during the early part of the 20th century. The objective of Commune LA is to collaborate with local professionals in an effort to raise awareness of the relationship between consumer and product and to support the diversity of the Los Angeles community.
Commune LA - Renderings (for a higher resolution, click "download")
Commune LA - Construction Docs (for a higher resolution, click "download")