Firm's landscape design work officially recognized - Associates: events, awards - Brief Article

Real Estate Weekly, Jan 7, 2004

The Southern California chapter of ASLA has recognized the work of Thomas Balsley Associates for the landscape redesign of the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood by awarding the project a 2003 Quality of Life Design Award.

The award was shared with TBA's local landscape architecture partner, Melendrez Design Partners. The building is owned by Cohen Brothers Realty Co.

The five-acre, street-level environment of Cesar Pelli's modernist landmark, known affectionately as "The Blue Whale," has been dramatically transformed from barren plazas into lively park-like spaces and cafes whose character and elements have re-imaged the showroom building into a multi-purpose destination.

The Melrose Avenue space, renamed "Wave Park" for its distinctive undulating lawn panels, invites a variety of lounging or picnicking experiences. A destination card kiosk and terrace complements the new entrance and auto arrival area. Red walls with recessed cobalt blue lights frame each lawn panel, which, together with new building illumination and graphic sculptures, add drama and a new public face to the facility.

Along San Vicente, what was once an inaccessible landscape has been transformed into an exciting new venue for public use, performances, and events with an interactive fountain display as its centerpiece. The space's generous lawn areas have softened the space into a park-like setting that overlooks a large circular lagoon and surrounding open plazas. The lagoon's water is 1/2 inch deep allowing a quick change to a dry venue for events. When wet, its glasslike surface is penetrated by multi-colored interactive jets that create an animated display of cooling water in daylight and dramatic evening light displays.