OMA, MLA, + IDEO team selected to design FAB park in downtown los angeles

OMA, MLA, + IDEO team selected to design FAB park in downtown los angeles
all images © MLA / OMA

the city of los angeles has selected a team comprising architecture practice OMA, landscape architects mia lehrer + associates (MLA), and innovation and design firm IDEO to design a new public park. located within the city’s downtown core, the scheme will occupy a currently vacant plot situated at first and broadway — a location which lends the park its ‘FAB’ moniker. overall project management will be performed by the city’s bureau of engineering, with the public space set to open in 2019.

the two-acre plot of land is located in downtown los angeles

the design seeks to celebrate the region’s exceptional diversity by incorporating the themes of food, art, and land. the scheme features a split level restaurant and an array of sculpted shade canopies. these stilted structures are distributed among a planted grove of mature trees. the design benefits from the site’s location, welcoming a mix of people that live, work, and visit downtown LA. the setting forms a place of respite as well as a dynamic location for cultural events.

the scheme features a split level restaurant and an array of sculpted shade canopies

the park is framed with native oak and sycamore trees, offering ample green space and necessary shade. beneath the canopies, a collection of outdoor rooms animate the heart of the park, creating a versatile central space for a range of civic and community events. the park also features a split level restaurant designed by OMA. ‘FAB park will be a meeting point for civil servants, journalists, arts patrons and DTLA residents,’ explains OMA partner jason long. ‘our design for the restaurant is a dynamic building that facilitates two distinct levels of service: quick and casual on the ground, refined and elegant above. each level activates diverse experiences ranging from café to test kitchen to amphitheater seating.’

the restaurant facilitates quick and casual service at ground level, and refined, elegant dining above

‘we are excited to have the opportunity to design this destination park, providing los angeles with a new place to experience nature and culture,‘ adds mia lehrer, president of MLA. ‘we also want to thank councilman josé huizar for his leadership and vision in bringing a new park to downtown LA and the city’s bureau of engineering for leading a thoughtful process for design.’

the design seeks to celebrate the region’s exceptional diversity

from an environmental perspective, the park has the potential to to achieve ‘net-zero’ energy and handle all onsite stormwater capture, treatment, and infiltration. a native plant palette will not only maximize comfort and shade, but will also minimize the need for water and maintenance. park program components, including the restaurant, are intended to provide a self-generating economic resource for the site.

the park’s low maintenance design has the potential for ‘net-zero’ energy use

the 1.96 acre site was purchased by the city of los angeles in 2013, with a competition held to elicit creative ideas and proposals. contesting finalists, including aecom, brooks + scarpa, and eric owen moss architects, were announced in november 2015. the park is anticipated to open to the public in 2019.

‘FAB park’ is expected to open to the public in 2019

project info:

landscape architecture: MLA
architecture: OMA
user experience design, food, technology: IDEO
art curation: pally
culture: romanelli
food: muhlke
community outreach: arellano
sustainability/engineering: arup
economics/governance: MR+E
civil engineering: PSOMAS
park management: MJM
executive architect: gruen
lighting design: francis krahe & associates
cost estimation: LENAX
constructability review: development industries