Comments on: Orange Office / Sander Architects

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 20:38:13 +0000

I’m hoping that Mr Sander now has the money to finish the project and remove all the terrible cheap signage the tenants put all over the facade. And what’s up with the billboard almost touching the front facade and the stair tower on top. Those seem like mistakes. Is the billboard to be removed once you have the financing? Is the stair tower to be resolved somehow?

Good luck Mr Sander. You’ve taken a lot of heat on this project locally but I admire you for taking risks and going for it. It’d be good for modern architects in LA if somehow this project pulled it out in the end. It’s gotten a lot of commentary from the general public, and not much of it good news seemingly.

By: James

James — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 20:32:11 +0000

I’m a little surprised the architect chose to publish this one. He’s a good designer, but this project is not well received in LA from what I’ve heard. Bit of a fumble by an otherwise talented guy.

By: Esmat

Esmat — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:34:07 +0000

It is a strange and unique building that would attract people easily due to its exterior building material but it looks like the building is still under construction. Thus, sophistication is needed, even though the orange fiber serves a need (diminishing heat gain).

By: Matthew

Matthew — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 01:00:04 +0000

Smart idea. I like it! It attracts people's attention and its environmentally friendly. Roof garden is smart as well! HVAC is great! I'm into Geothermal Technology myself and it is a great idea! Great building!

By: poke

poke — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:37:57 +0000

mrciscous: I think you are giving too much credit to Sander by grouping him with H&dM. This projects lacks the sophistication of the Signal Box skin treatment. but you might be right if you were saying that this project is a sophomoric ripoff/inspiration.

By: HyunChung

HyunChung — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:34:42 +0000

Orange Office / Sander Architects http://ff.im/-58HhE

By: Billy

Billy — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:06:08 +0000

I live less than a mile from this monstrosity and every day I drive by I lament the early days of its construction when the basic form seemed to give me hope that a nice piece of modern architecture was in the works. The biggest issue with this building is the abysmal detailing. Nevermind those clumsy vertical concrete walls that the mass above rests on, or the poor placement and routing of utilities in the parking garage….the entry is perhaps the least resolved and considered aspect of the project. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to work in that building. Frosted glass with no clear view to the exterior is inhumane. It’s been ‘almost finished’ for a year now.

Sorry, it’s just plain bad. I don’t even mind the unfinished look but that orange grid is far too open and does nothing in terms of measurable performance regardless of the claims. The frosted glass, maybe, but not enough.

By: StructureHub Blog

StructureHub Blog — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:35:04 +0000

Wonderfully original! I’ve seen plenty of screens, metal mesh and otherwise, but this is certainly a unique take on that conceit. It’ll be a beast to keep the netting and all those nooks clean of soot though.

By: architte

architte — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:40:41 +0000

“I’m familiar with this building and drive by it frequently. I just thought it was under-financed and work had stopped, over a year ago. “… Marc has it exactly right! as a designer working in Venice, I drive by this on a regular basis as well, and it does look like the perenially unfinished bldg! Any color but orange would have better!! Orange is so 2005 ;) j/k, but it is the color of construction.
And, I have to add, too many architects in Venice/LA trying to do interesting things with color and failing MISERABLY.
Construction admin is essential to ensure everything coordinates through the value engineering exercise…Do you trust your contractor to pick a substitute? For Santa Monica residents, case in point is the new parking structure on 4th and the 10. ick.

By: Marc

Marc — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:15:56 +0000

I’m familiar with this building and drive by it frequently. I just thought it was under-financed and work had stopped, over a year ago. With that said, that is how it looks…like a poor-man’s Morphosis knock-off. The most confusing aspect has to be the cost put into staggering the concrete at each floor. I can’t speak for the inside or roof but the exterior is a failed urban experiment.

The “green movement” necessarily does no want to make this project the poster-child for their cause.

By: sullka

sullka — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:59:11 +0000

You just can’t wrap a mesh over an structural skeleton and think it would look trendy.

It will only look like an unifinished building in constant renovation.

Neat idea, poor execution.

By: Hertz

Hertz — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:18:58 +0000

you are one cheesy dude Mr.

By: RT

RT — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:04:25 +0000

The orange net is gonna look like hell in a year…

By: PanamArq

PanamArq — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:40:22 +0000

very cool, the ground level is a bit disappointing though, it looks like a parking garage

By: arquitecto

arquitecto — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:49:13 +0000

I agree with arch, it does seem like the facade is being restored. And, from a distance, doesn’t it have a slight resemblance to Enrique Norten’s Habita Hotel in Mexico City?

By: mrviscous

mrviscous — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:48:47 +0000

Signal boxes in Basel by H&dM?

By: Mookie Wilson

Mookie Wilson — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:36:47 +0000

Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here.

By: bentply

bentply — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:19:25 +0000

I lived down the street from this building as it was going up. I never really knew whether it was finished or not. The mass under the mesh is bright pink so it is a very unique color as a whole.

By: Arch

Arch — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:12:45 +0000

Looks like a building wrapped in snow-fencing…

Also the panels have a very “unfinished” appearance. Like someone is restoring a facade underneath…

By: Thomas

Thomas — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:27:34 +0000

Sandcrawler from Star Wars?