Client: City of West Hollywood
Sunset Boulevard Gateway - Los Angeles
Project Info
Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, California - one of the most storied and legendary urban boulevards in the world, conjures memories, imagery, and emotions whenever its name is spoken. Interwoven and synonymous with multiple sub-cultures across multiple decades, it is part of the identity of a bourgeoning 20th Century Los Angeles.
While developing a streetscape masterplan for the “Sunset Strip” - the central stretch of Sunset Boulevard - !melk conceived of the idea for a gateway structure, intended to become a symbol for the Sunset Strip, as well as a destination in and of itself; an impactful, sculptural monolith that “assimilates” in its environment - a completely unique form that comprises of an experience of ascent, wonder, and discovery - a surrealistic structure, with a “silhouette” that makes it very much “of-the-place.”
At the foot of the "Sunset Gateway” structure, within a newly designed plaza, sits a freestanding pavilion, that functions as a ticketing booth and information kiosk. From there, entering the gateway, one ascends to a suspended observation deck. This flexible gathering area, primed to become a “place to be”, is replete with a comfortable microclimate, and entirely formed around most spectacular vantage points and views of the Sunset Strip underneath. Both the plaza, as well as the observation deck are shaded by a “forest” of Washingtonia robusta palms.
For the overall streetscape master plan for the Sunset Strip, !melk developed a “streetscape toolkit” consisting of street trees, a distinctive paving pattern, a custom roadway and pedestrian light pole, standard furniture, and custom benches. This collection of simple, yet distinctive district-defining elements will bolster the overall cohesion of Sunset Strip to establish a strong identity and enhance visitors’ memorability of one of the world’s most famous urban boulevards!
Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, California - one of the most storied and legendary urban boulevards in the world, conjures memories, imagery, and emotions whenever its name is spoken. Interwoven and synonymous with multiple sub-cultures across multiple decades, it is part of the identity of a bourgeoning 20th Century Los Angeles.
While developing a streetscape masterplan for the “Sunset Strip” - the central stretch of Sunset Boulevard - !melk conceived of the idea for a gateway structure, intended to become a symbol for the Sunset Strip, as well as a destination in and of itself; an impactful, sculptural monolith that “assimilates” in its environment - a completely unique form that comprises of an experience of ascent, wonder, and discovery - a surrealistic structure, with a “silhouette” that makes it very much “of-the-place.”
At the foot of the "Sunset Gateway” structure, within a newly designed plaza, sits a freestanding pavilion, that functions as a ticketing booth and information kiosk. From there, entering the gateway, one ascends to a suspended observation deck. This flexible gathering area, primed to become a “place to be”, is replete with a comfortable microclimate, and entirely formed around most spectacular vantage points and views of the Sunset Strip underneath. Both the plaza, as well as the observation deck are shaded by a “forest” of Washingtonia robusta palms.
For the overall streetscape master plan for the Sunset Strip, !melk developed a “streetscape toolkit” consisting of street trees, a distinctive paving pattern, a custom roadway and pedestrian light pole, standard furniture, and custom benches. This collection of simple, yet distinctive district-defining elements will bolster the overall cohesion of Sunset Strip to establish a strong identity and enhance visitors’ memorability of one of the world’s most famous urban boulevards!