*Project completed while employed at HLW
Aercap
Century City, California
17,000 SF
A merger with a long-established aircraft leasing company located in the prestigious Constellation Place skyscraper presented an opportunity to create a new regional office for Aercap in Los Angeles. The design objective was not only to substantially update the prior company’s more traditional design style to meet Aercap’s sleek, contemporary aesthetic, but to create a more open space where collaboration was encouraged and transparency was paramount.
Before Photos
The Lobby of the original space was grand and had the air of a traditional hotel lobby or law firm. It was the exact opposite of the Aercap aesthetic with it’s dark mahogany woods, creamy travertine floors, floral carpeting, bulky furniture, traditional upholsteries and oversized private offices which completely concealed the 360 degree views from the assistants working in dimly lit law-firm style desks that ran along the hallways in front of the private offices.
It was important to Aercap to provide some window offices to their executives, though not at the expense of concealing daylight and views from the other workspaces.
Inspired by the Golden Age of Air Travel
Without feeling forced or predictable, the space is purposefully reminiscent of the golden age of air travel. Eyes linger on the blended blues and wispy white neutrals contained within the natural stone finish or the graceful curves of the interior architecture, which subtly resemble an aircraft’s lines. Glass accentuates the sense of transparency and airiness. Clerestories, for example, are integrated into private offices, conference rooms, and transitional spaces, permitting uninterrupted sight lines to the city’s commanding skyline. The earthy tones of the Paldao veneer, veined porcelain tile, and reclaimed oak wood flooring ground the space.
