The Pacific Design Center is a very interesting complex here in West Hollywood.....The first building, The Blue Building, opened in 1975, and was quite controversial....It was nicknamed 'The Blue Whale' because of it's size and because there were no obvious windows, though the people inside can look out. The 'Blue Whale' name has stuck for those of us who have been around since the very beginning of this amazing complex of buildings.........
It is difficult to show the true size of the building....I took these two pictures above...But not this one below.....
This picture above, (taken by someone else) gives you a tiny idea of the size of this building....This view and the ones above are all taken from San Vicente Blvd....The picture below, which I did take, is a view from Melrose Avenue.....
I remember when it was being built---it looked like an industrial warehouse, or something equally as horrific in this rather unlikely mostly residential area, until the bright blue glass began to appear and at least then, you knew this was going to be some kind of special building, though it still looked like this huge all Blue warehouse.......
And, indeed, it is some kind of 'special' building. It houses a huge number of wholesale home furnishing shops including beautiful expensive Fabric stores---everything for the home--"to the trade only", all under one roof! It is a fantastic place. There is also a theatre and some other spaces that are used for 'special events'. Elton John, holds his Academy Awards Party here, each year, which is a very big Fund raiser for his AIDS Foundation, and which raises waaay over a million dollars every year, just from this one Event.....Lots of other events are going on there, every day of the week---it is a very busy active place in every way....Then, in 1988, the second building, The Green Building, opened......
I find the Green Building particularly fascinating because of the design, and what that design creates artistically speaking....Let's take a closer look at The Green Building....
Whereas the Blue Whale has no windows that show from the outside, The Green Building has these little square windows that allow us to look inside just a little bit....Plus, the building has these wonderful side facets that are on an angle on all four sides....And by the way....the two buildings are connected by an enclosed walkway which you can see below......
Although I have been in the Blue Whale many times, over the years for various functions and other business reasons, I have never been in The Green Building....But, I have always taken great notice of it because of the previously mentioned 'facets'. Depending on the kind of day it is--sunny or not---and the time of day as well as where you might be standing...these amazing visual abstractions are often visible......
I absolutely love these!
And then, below, there are these abstract reflections, as well.....
The above, is not on one of those facets, but on a straight up and down part of the green glass. What is pictured in an abstract manner, is what is in the immediate foreground and also, the Hollywood Hills, which are way behind the whole thing.....Two more strange and interesting reflective abstractions are below......
Some of the things reflected in the glass---the construction equipment which is in evidence because of the next phase of the Pacific Design Center Complex-----The Red Building.....! This building has been in the works, so to speak, for quite a few years.
And below, a different view of some of the construction back in the fall of 2009, when I took all these pictures.....
And one more, below.....you can see some of the equipment at the bottom of the picture. But, more interesting to me is what the light does on the glass of the Green building and on that see-through glass cylindrical passage, attached to it.....
The play of light creates some fascinating shadows and an almost optical illusion, too....I find all of this so incredibly creative and so visually interesting.....Below, are a few pictures of what the Red Building is projected to look like in the context of the entire campus and with the two other buildings......
And one more rendering, below......
In some of the 'projections', it looks like a boat, and it is huge! Next time I will show you some pictures I took very recently, at the end of January, 2011, and you can see some of the progress of this exciting building.....Below, a little preview.......
And next time, along with the progress of the Red Building, there is a very interesting person who happened to be walking by on San Vicente Blvd.........More To Come.........
- had this to say:
I drove past by the Big Blue Whale so many times in the eighties...it drove me nuts that the public wasn't allowed inside. How lucky for you that you've been able to see what's behind all that whale skin. I love the way the red and green buildings set it off now - it's just so L.A.
- Sunday, February 6, 2011 at 6:06:00 AM PST
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Wow - really impressive and so are the buildings. Your pictures are fabulous.
- Sunday, February 6, 2011 at 6:17:00 AM PST
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Wow - These are some amazing architecture. Its good to have enough space to put these kind of buildings together without too much else around. And of course the blue sky helps.
I wonder with a red building whether it will fade though, like red cars?- Sunday, February 6, 2011 at 7:22:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
Given that the L.A. metro area is so spread out, there must be thousands of these sorts of architectural gems, both big and small, out there to be discovered by someone with a good eye for design.
Thanks for the post.
Cheers.- Sunday, February 6, 2011 at 9:51:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Very striking buildings but am surprised that in an earthquake state,so much glass. I'm sure though with the strict codes it must be safe.
The three together will really be an eye catcher.- Sunday, February 6, 2011 at 9:54:00 AM PST
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I love the colors and the juxtaposition of the three buildings, and the angles are wonderful to behold!!
- Sunday, February 6, 2011 at 4:30:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
Who, who, who????
- Sunday, February 6, 2011 at 4:39:00 PM PST
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Since it is near impossible for me to get downtown anymore, when for 20 years I went every day, I wish I had taken more time to LOOK at the buildings there. You, of course, have an artist's eye.
- Sunday, February 6, 2011 at 9:18:00 PM PST
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In these days of hard times it's refreshing to hear of exciting new building. Are the three buildings designed by the same person?
The green one really is a work of art and perhaps when all three are there the effect will be even more arresting.
As Rashbre says the blue sky helps.- Monday, February 7, 2011 at 2:41:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
what interesting architecture, Naomi. It has been so cold, gray and snowy here, that the blue skies and building is a welcome sight!
- Monday, February 7, 2011 at 7:10:00 AM PST
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Oh the suspense of who was walking?? Hmmm!!!
That is some amazing architecture in that building. It is interesting to see different designs of buildings and the things folks come up with. I still think of the 'tile house' often! I really loved that house and the work that man has done over the years to create such beauty!
It's interesting to know what is inside because by the name it doesn't really make it clear! Very interesting Naomi!!- Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 12:04:00 PM PST
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I am so glad to see the palm trees are kept up. And the reflections in the facets are amazing.
- Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 6:18:00 PM PST
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I love the buildings and the reflections, but I'm not sure I'm going to like the red one so much because at least blue and green blend into the scenery, but red is such a dominate colour!
I can't wait to see it now, so you can change my mind about it! :D- Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 4:32:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Funny you should post this. I was just there a week or so ago and marveled (as usual) at the beauty of it.
- Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 6:35:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
Very cool buildings! You ended with a little tease. I wonder who this very interesting person is or what this person might look like? I am intrigued...
- Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 12:20:00 PM PST
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The reflection in the Green building is so neat. I like looking at reflections when people take photos to see what "secrets" I can see!
And now, I can't wait to hear about who was walking by!- Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 4:57:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Fantastic photos of LA, Naomi!
The Pacific Design Center looks wonderful!
Thanks for sharing!- Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 6:15:00 AM PST
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hello,
i will have to come take a look on my next visit to LA- Monday, February 14, 2011 at 8:45:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I don't believe I've ever been by the Big Blue Whale but the next time I'm in Los Angeles I'll make a point of it.
All three buildings are beautiful in those renderings. You're shots are excellent!- Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 1:17:00 PM PST
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