Designed by Abramson Teiger Architects, the TCH boutique hotel, located in downtown Los Angeles, weaves the nature of the temporal society with the evolving art world. Reflecting the architects’ philosophy of a visually dynamic architecture which evokes a sense of peace, sanctuary, and productivity, the art gallery becomes a backdrop to viewed experiences while the hotel becomes a backdrop to the guests. They are both fortresses of collections: a collection of art and a collection of people. All spaces within the 47 rooms activate as a gallery resulting in a building that activates as an art piece. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Art within hotels has typically been secondary. This design makes art primary in a number of instances: by developing exterior artistic perforated panels; by housing artist residences; by turning public spaces into small galleries. The exterior is clad in Cor-ten steel because of its ability to be sculpted. It is a material that serves both artistic expression and architectural function. A series of perforated panels, within the solid skin, depict pixilated skulls. The skulls represent a tension between the skin (exterior) and the brain (interior). They house the “eyes” of the viewer.
Light passing through these perforations (eyes) is visible inside during the day and outside at night. Additional tension is created through the juxtaposition of materials, the placement of windows and the geometry of volumes. Interior spaces are filled with materials and textures that have moments of tension but get quiet when they serve as a backdrop for the art.
Architects: Abramson Teiger Architects Location: Downtown Los Angeles, California, United States Team: Trevor Abramson (principal), Douglas Teiger (principal), David Pascu, Jessica Voigt, Mihai Ivan, Nick Ross, Pil Hyun Hwang, Sasha Monge, Bjorn Schrader Competition Description: Hotel competition involving four architectural designers: Abramson Teiger Architects, Oyler Wu Collaborative, Xten, and Sam Marshall. Winner was Sam Marshall Data Statistics: approximately 50,000 square feet. 47 rooms, 5 floors Date: January 2012
