5021 | B1 Boyle Heights Cultural Arts Center

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Project Description: This projected utilized heavy research to guide students design. We were given the programing of the building and the parameters of not exceeding 10,000 sqft on the ground floor. We were also instructed to look into how the plaza could be re imagined in the future to incorporate our building an the entire plaza. 
Concept: Arches are highlighted throughout the design to symbolize strength and support. The arch is one of the strongest architectural elements. Like an arch, the performance center stands strong in the heart of mariachi plaza. This cultural center will help to revitalize the neighborhood by offering workshops that are free to the community as well as performances and gathering spaces for the community to congregate at. The cultural arts center incorporates the semicircular arch that can be seen in various places in boyle heights, including the historic jewish temple and in mariachi plaza. Curves are used in the opening of the building to draw viewers into the building as well as used in the structure of the building. The center is arranged in an l-shape in order to point focus towards the plaza. The arches that cut through the building are skewed at 45 degrees to further the focus of the building towards the center of the plaza.