After we wrapped up the workshop in Los Angeles, we spent a few more days exploring some architecture in parts of the city not as easily accessible for a workshop. Given how spread out LA is and the traffic, omg the traffic, it took us a few days to get to all these locations. And we still didn’t get everywhere we wanted. For the first stop, we headed back downtown for more designs by Frank Gehry: The Loyola Law School.

One of my favorite stops was Emerson College designed by Morphosis. Quite dystopian feeling with all the jagged edges and metal. If you find yourself over there, they offer free tours. You definitely want to take advantage of this, great access and better angles to shoot these spikey details. Plus there’s a pretty great view of downtown Los Angeles from the courtyard.


Next, onto the Capital Records Building. Designed by Welton Becket with awnings and a spire meant to resemble albums on a turntable. A little bit of trivia: the flashing light at the top of the spire spells out Hollywood in Morse code. Photographically, I liked how the bright white played off the blue sky.

Just across the street was this interesting detail. Nice geometry and contrasts in textures, with subtle tones.

An unexpected find was this new condo going up behind the Capital Records Building. More fun with geometric shapes and soft tones of the whiter building and the soft blue sky reflecting in its glass balconies.


To finish off our first day, we stopped by St Basil Church for some interesting ceiling abstracts. They seem to resemble angel wings, don’t you think?

 
On day 2 we started with the Cahill Center for Astronomy & Astrophysics. Another design by Morphosis. My favorite part of this stop was this chaotic, geometric staircase.


The weather wasn’t the best this day so we only managed one other location for shooting, the crazy Binocular Building. Another design by Frank Gehry and Google’s LA offices.


Because this building is so crazy, here’s a ridiculous iPhone shot I got of the whole thing for context. Of course, I forgot with my “real” camera.

Our 3rd day was spent in Culver City. So many unique buildings over here! Most with a brutalist feeling and designed by Eric Owen Moss.






And, my favorite from that area – Verspertine. A super swanky restaurant with architectural design to match.



The final stop of the day was the Helios House designed by Johnston + Marklee. I’ve been wanting to photograph this gas station, yes, you read that right, for years. So glad I finally made it over here.


And a not-so-great iPhone shot for context 🙂

These are a very small sample of images from the week in Los Angeles…if you feel the need to see SO much more – ENJOY!