Did you know that Central Los Angeles Area High School #9, designed by Coop Himmelb(l)au, funded by philanthropist Eli Broad, and embroiled in recent controversy, is finished? Work was completed at the end of 2008, and now Dexigner has a write-up of the project. We have to imagine much of this information comes from Coop Himmelb(l)au. Except:
Coop Himmelb(l)au's design concept is to use architectural signs as symbols to communicate the commitment of the Los Angeles community to Art....A Tower figure with spiralling ramp in the shape of the number 9 located on top of the theater's fly- loft serves as a widely visible sign for the Arts in the city and a point of identification for the students. Inside the tower, an event, conference and exhibition space with a view across the city is planned to be located....As the symbol for learning and education the Library, or the Space of Knowledge, is formally expressed through a slanted, truncated cone and placed in the center of the school courtyard. Inside, the cone provides a large open space illuminated from above by a circular skylight thus offering an open, dynamic, but introverted and concentrated space for contemplation and focused learning.
More importantly, let's consider a fight between downtown's latest two additions. If LA Live and the downtown Arts school were in a cage match, who would win? [All images via Coop Himmelb(l)au's web site]
· Completion of Coop Himmelb(l)au's High School 9, Los Angeles [Dexigner]
· Downtown Buck Rogers High School in Trouble [Curbed LA]
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