Australian firm Koichi Takada Architects has unveiled a slatted timber tower for Los Angeles, featuring a splayed bottom that draws on Marilyn Monroe's "flying skirt" moment.
Australian firm Koichi Takada Architects has unveiled a slatted timber tower for Los Angeles, featuring a splayed bottom that draws on Marilyn Monroe's "flying skirt" moment.
Koichi Takada Architects has proposed the mixed-use Sky Trees development for 1111 South Hill Street in Downtown LA. It comprises two towers – one planned to reach 70 storeys and the other about half as tall.
Both are covered in thin timber strips that lift upwards at the base. The shape is intended to resemble Monroe's dress as it blows up in the iconic film moment, from Billy Wilde's The Seven Year Itch in 1955.
"An undulating timber canopy references the famous Marilyn Monroe 'flying skirt' moment; the reference to Hollywood resonating with LA's celebrated street culture," said Koichi Takada Architects.
Sky Trees tower draws on redwoods
The studio also referenced redwoods, which are one of the oldest and tallest trees in the world and native to California, for the design.
The upturned bottom of the development mimics the bottom of a trunk, as its roots spread out. Giant redwoods have slender trunks, reddish-brown exteriors, and scale to enormous heights, just like the tower.
A number of natural features are intended to be incorporated into the design. Images show greenery growing up between the slatted timber exterior – a feature Koichi Takada Architects calls a "breathing wall".
"Our vision is to make the tower the healthiest place you can live in downtown LA," said Koichi Takada Architects.
Mixed-used development to feature "breathing wall" of greenery
"The expressive canopy incorporates a 'breathing green wall' that improves the air quality of the city and introduces a unique landscaping feature to the downtown streetscape."
Angled roofs topping the two structures are also depicted as filled with gardens and terraces.
Koichi Takada Architects has proposed the mixed-use Sky Trees development for 1111 South Hill Street in Downtown LA. It comprises two towers – one planned to reach 70 storeys and the other about half as tall.
Both are covered in thin timber strips that lift upwards at the base. The shape is intended to resemble Monroe's dress as it blows up in the iconic film moment, from Billy Wilde's The Seven Year Itch in 1955.
"An undulating timber canopy references the famous Marilyn Monroe 'flying skirt' moment; the reference to Hollywood resonating with LA's celebrated street culture," said Koichi Takada Architects.
Sky Trees tower draws on redwoods
The studio also referenced redwoods, which are one of the oldest and tallest trees in the world and native to California, for the design.
The upturned bottom of the development mimics the bottom of a trunk, as its roots spread out. Giant redwoods have slender trunks, reddish-brown exteriors, and scale to enormous heights, just like the tower.
A number of natural features are intended to be incorporated into the design. Images show greenery growing up between the slatted timber exterior – a feature Koichi Takada Architects calls a "breathing wall".
"Our vision is to make the tower the healthiest place you can live in downtown LA," said Koichi Takada Architects.
Mixed-used development to feature "breathing wall" of greenery
"The expressive canopy incorporates a 'breathing green wall' that improves the air quality of the city and introduces a unique landscaping feature to the downtown streetscape."
Angled roofs topping the two structures are also depicted as filled with gardens and terraces.