Topaz is a mixed-use urban infill project located in the historic core of Downtown Los Angeles with 159 apartments and 23,000 square feet of retail. The site borders the Toy District to the east and Historic Core to the west and presents two very different contextual opportunities. The design concept is to respect the adjacent historic buildings by continuing the rhythmic elements into the new façade and maintaining the street wall.

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On Los Angeles Street, the building is oriented to optimize solar exposure in the courtyard through an urban window with a light curtain that is designed to maintain the street wall, buffer the harshness of the warehouse district, and light up at night to provide a sense of safety and visual interest.

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On Main Street, the historic building to the south has a motor court that will be preserved and provides an opportunity for a corner exposure in the direction of a one-way street. The design respects the classic base, middle, and top organization with dramatic emphasis on the corner and top of the building with a contemporary rendition of a classic blade sign found throughout Historic Core.