LAUSD Builds Tower in Tribute to the Past
With the near completion of the Central Los Angeles High School #9, or the LAUSD High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, on Grand Avenue more folks are talking about the architecture stylings of Coop Himmelblau and the monument to the arts that they’ve created. Driving along the 101, people have speculated as to the meaning and purpose of the tall structure that creates an entry along with the Cathedral bell tower across the 101.
Well, we’ve got our own crack research team based in LA and have found what we think maybe the inspiration for the swirling flourish that surrounds the tower-elevated meeting space that perches above downtown: the historic Bamboo Slides of the former Venice Pleasure Pier:
As you can see from this photo, there are striking similarities between it and the rendering above.
Others just don’t see the connection, and support the “Grand Entrance” off the 101 to the Grand Avenue Project between the two towers as seen below:
But, we see this as perhaps inspired by that Cabazon gateway known by so many heading to Palm Springs (and as seen below):
Yes, LAUSD is building this new high school in way that, no matter how you look at it, will be honoring the past. Now, if only they had something there to honor Fort Moore...
T-Rex photo from slworking2 via Flickr.
Bamboo Slide from the Herald Examiner archive via the Los Angeles Public Library
LAUSD HS#9 renderings from AIA Pasadena Foothills Chapter