As an integral next step in the “Expansion and Futurization Project” for the Los Angeles Convention Center, the City of Los Angeles, led by the L.A. Department of Convention and Tourism Development and the Bureau of Engineering, spearheaded a design competition to select an architect for the proposed renovation and expansion of the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Three final teams were selected, and their work is now on public display through June. The purpose of the design competition, launched in late 2014, was to solicit creative design solutions for the future development and expansion of the Convention Center.
The competitors were asked to address a series of goals and criteria including, but not limited to a commitment to the environment, a point of view on the “futurization” of conference centers, and overall creativity and budget.
“Today, we’re taking a big step forward in investing in our future and bringing more business, more visitors, and more jobs to our city,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “I’m very pleased that with these functional and attractive designs, Los Angeles is closer to a Convention Center that reflects our city’s position as the global capital of creativity, innovation, and possibility.”
“Los Angeles is a world class city, and it deserves a world class Convention Center that complements and builds on the successful redevelopment of our downtown,” said Council member Curren Price. “I am eager to see these new design plans so that we can select the best one, helping us to attract the largest amount of convention business.”
The three final teams are led by the following architects:
AC Martin Inc. and LMN Architects
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Gensler and Lehrer Architects
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HMC Architects and Populous
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“This is the next step in a thoughtful, strategic and long-term process that will ultimately define the future of the Los Angeles Convention Center,” said Robert R. “Bud” Ovrom, executive director for the L.A. Department of Convention and Tourism Development. “This is a tremendous opportunity for the City to maximize the economic benefits that the Convention Center brings to our city, our tourism industry and to local businesses.”
“We are very pleased with the creative and thought provoking proposals that the three teams produced,” stated Gary Lee Moore, the City Engineer. “The process has provided the city with designs that are specific to our climate and civic identity, and reflects the merging of the new with what exists today.”
The work products, including drawings, renderings, and physical models, will be on display for public viewing at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Room 403A, through Thursday, June 4, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The display will be closed to the public on June 1 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., on June 2 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on June 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
A public presentation by the three design teams is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Room 403A. The teams will be available for press questions following the public presentation on Tuesday, June 2 from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Convention Center in Room 403A.
The three proposals will be reviewed using previously established criteria by key city organizations. It is anticipated that the recommended team will be selected by the end of the year.
