LAPD HQ takes top architectural award

The new Los Angeles Police Department headquarters won the grand prize at the 40th annual Los Angeles Architectural Awards today.

The LAPD's 50,000-square-foot Police Administration Building was recognized for its open design and public amenities, including a nearly one-acre public park, a 400-seat auditorium and a rooftop garden.

Meanwhile, LAPD stations in Westwood, East Los Angeles, Harbor City and mid-Wilshire were collective honored with the Green Building Award for their commitment to environmental design.

The L.A. Live entertainment complex was honored for representing a successful collaboration between business and government. The complex was honored with the Community Impact Award during the ceremony sponsored by the Los Angeles Business Council.

"L.A. Live demonstrates how meaningful civic partnership, innovative architecture and smart planning can transform neighborhoods and spur economic growth, while advancing our city's sustainability goals,'' said Mary Leslie, president of the Los Angeles Business Council.

"The L.A. Business Council has called on our public and private sector leaders to learn from the example set by L.A. Live and our other project winners, working together to facilitate smart growth that creates a brighter future for all Angelenos.''

Awards were presented to 31 architectural teams for design and construction completed in 2008 and 2009.

Other notable honorees were the YWCA of Greater Los Angeles' L.A. Job Corps center, which received the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for its creation of a campus-like environment in the downtown area, including an outdoor courtyard and an amphitheater.

In the commercial category, Horizon at Playa Vista was honored for integrating 950,000 square feet of Class A office space into an area that includes historic Howard Hughes buildings, and for its use of renewable energy sources.