Multi-spout fountain placed in a paved open courtyard. The Hanover Prest pavers make stripes. The Los Angeles Music Center is in the distance.

Music Center Plaza Redeisgn

Rios delivered a complex design to meet contemporary access needs at the Music Center Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles. They came to Chaparral to ask if both Hanover Architectural Products and Ironsmith Paver-Grates® would help their effort to level the Plaza for pedestrian access. The Welton Becket designed plaza featured a sunken conversation pit level which discouraged pedestrian flow and ADA access.

Chaparral worked with Ironsmith to provide the Paver-Grate® which helped create an arcade of trees emerging from the plaza without planters. Rios collaborated with Ironsmith to find the best solution for the plaza’s many programming needs.

Hanover Architectural Products Prest® Pavers provided Rios with the ability to suspend the plaza over a matrix of supports. The strength and tolerance of Hanover Prest-Pavers allowed Rios to freely design the raised plaza. Pre-cut customized holes for water jets and light fixtures continued the single surface plaza.

“Accessibility and connection were the chief goals.” — Interior Magazine

CATEGORY
Custom
Client
The Music Center
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Architect
Rios redesign of Welton Becket designed plaza
Landscape Architect
Rios
Contractor
Matt Construction
Project Types
Entertainment and Event Public Space
Project Scope
Adaptive Reuse
Year Completed
2019
Product Line
Hanover Pavers
Ironsmith Paver-Grates®
Size
45,000 sq ft
Awards

2020 | LABC Architectural Award Finalist, Civic Design

2019 | SCDF Design Award, Civic

2019 | LABC Architectural Award, Under Construction

Architectural rendering of The Music Center Plaza from directly overhead.
Rendering by Rios
LA Music Center Plaza somewhat obscured by a semi-transparent layer of black. Over the black is text reading, "Project of Distinction; The Music Center, The Plaza for All; November 17, 2020"