One of our favorite residential clients approached us with a concept for a mixed-use project involving commercial offices and residential space. The design centers on a new multi-functional development on a narrow lot, featuring warehouse/parking spaces, two office spaces, and a studio apartment with a shared rooftop deck overlooking Venice Boulevard. The lot is nestled between two existing commercial buildings and fronts a bustling boulevard. The building includes a layer of privacy with perforated metal screening, which also allows natural daylight to filter into the office and studio spaces.

Our client envisioned two separate buildings connected by a shared interior courtyard, designed to foster connection and collaboration. Due to the limitations of the site, we ultimately landed on creating a beautiful feature stair with climbing vegetation adjacent to it, creating a modern, inviting, mixed-use, live-work space for busy professionals.

Through our Action Plan, we explored ways to maximize the use of the site while bringing our client’s vision to life with a unique design…

The first floor will utilize perforated metal roller gates on either side of the building, providing security and a cohesive architectural design while allowing parking and pull-through access for large deliveries, staging, and general operations. A separate pedestrian entrance off Venice opens into a lobby serving both the office spaces and the studio above via a feature staircase.

The second floor is accessed via an open staircase with a three-story living green wall as a backdrop. Skylights in the sawtooth roof allow daylight to wash over the stair walls. At the top of the stairs, visitors are greeted by a reception desk that serves two identical 600 SF office spaces. Each office includes its own kitchenette, an open floor plan, large floor-to-ceiling windows, and cascading greenery that softens the industrial facade. Shared bathroom facilities allow for maximized office space.

The third floor is accessible via the same open staircase as the offices below, along with an elevator for material transport and improved accessibility. A rooflight and clerestory windows above the stairs and living wall draw natural light down into this space and those below. Additionally, a large window and French doors at the roof deck level open out to Venice Boulevard. Access to the roof deck is directly off the stairs creating a space that can be used by everyone in the building. The roof deck will feature plantings to act as a screen from the neighboring businesses. The 805 SF studio includes two large southeast-facing windows, with an option to add a rooflight to the shower area for increased natural light.

This project’s modern industrial design—highlighted by large glazed areas juxtaposed with vertical screening—will create a strong facade. Inside, the green wall, warm finishes, and roof deck plantings contribute to a calming work and living environment.

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