A
newly constructed "First Impressions" plaza in front
of the historic U.S. Courthouse in Los Angeles was dedicated
on March 26. RAW’s design for the plaza includes several
elements that draw from the elegant fabric of the landmark
Courthouse. A series of 19 bollards, which refer in their
design to the stately columns surrounding the building entrance,
provide a line of security between the street and the Courthouse.
A large terrazzo starburst emblem in the
center of the plaza relates to several others that appear
in the building's interior lobbies. Large granite slabs are
used to integrate and extend the existing portico throughout
the plaza and out to the public sidewalk. Concrete surfaces
incorporate feldspar to create a sparkle that gives the plaza
a magical quality. Light poles and fixtures used are in keeping
with the historic nature of the building and the downtown
civic center district.
