5955-5959 S Western Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90047

Off-the-shelf materials such as concrete, polycarbonate, cement board, fabric, and ordinary lumber (as well as small amounts of stainless steel and zinc sheet metal) were selected for their low cost, ease of construction, industrial nature, and inherent beauty. The main exterior space between the two buildings serves as the social center of the project and can be used as an ordinary parking lot, a combination “people-car” space (its most common function), or a large event space. Several large parties, including the 2005 Los Angeles Chapter AIA Gala, have encouraged many Angelenos to visit a neighborhood they have never been to before. The building’s interiors were sandblasted to bring back the warmth of the existing wood and masonry structures. At the main lobby space, two bays of the second floor were removed and a stair was added to draw customers up to the Cisco Brothers Showroom.