Figueroa Eight
Photographer Credits: Benny Chan, Fotoworks
TOUR DETAILS
Figueroa Eight is a 41-story residential tower in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. The urban infill project replaces a surface parking lot, transforming what was once an underutilized parcel along the Figueroa Corridor into 438 apartments and 7,000 square feet of street-level, public-serving commercial space. Working closely with the City of Los Angeles, the three levels of above-grade parking are concealed and reflect an exemplary example of the Planning Department’s requirement for 360-degree design. The tower’s high-performing facade creates a signature look within the Los Angeles skyline and is critical to achieving the targeted LEED Silver rating. Residences have access to a dynamically programmed co-working environment that aligns with a post-COVID lifestyle of live-work-play within the residential community. The rooftop encloses a residents’ bar, social lounge, outdoor spa, and dining terrace. The tour will take approximately 60 minutes.
TOUR HOST
James (JED) Donaldson, AIA – Partner, Johnson Fain
James (JED) Donaldson is a Partner at Johnson Fain and an architect with over two decades of experience leading the design of urban infill developments that span housing, education, workplace, civic, and cultural sectors. Based in Los Angeles, California, USA, JED brings a deep knowledge of complex urban centers, developed through years of hands-on practice in one of the world’s most challenging and diverse environments. With architectural degrees from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (B.A.) and Virginia Tech (M.Arch), JED combines rigorous technical expertise with an artistic mindset. His leadership reflects a commitment to design excellence, strategic planning, and the delivery of complex, high-performing works of Architecture. JED has shared his insights as a visiting critic, lecturer, and instructor at academic institutions including UC Berkeley, USC, UCLA Extension, ArtCenter College of Design, and the University of Puerto Rico. He actively engages in shaping architectural education and mentoring the next generation of designers, often contributing to conversations at the intersection of practice, theory, and technology.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Heath, Safety, and Welfare Subjects
1. Practice Management: Design for Community Needs.
a. Participants will be able to communicate how the project is a demonstration of strategic tower placement and site programming to preserve views of existing towers, engage the public street with public serving retail, and deliver housing in downtown Los Angeles.
2. Programming and Analysis: Land-Use Analysis
a. The project is a nexus of different planning requirements including the City of Los Angeles 360-degree planning principles, My Figueroa Corridor requirements, and City of LA street designations. Attendees will observer and be able to communicate how the resolution of the multiple standards through careful Land-Use analysis and programming to yield the final building program.
3. Project Planning & Design: Building Design, Energy Efficiency, and Sustainability
a. Detailed information will be provided regarding the design of the building enclosure system that has the largest impact to sustainability and energy modeling. Participants will be able to return to their office and share the energy modeling strategy and major design iterations that achieved the LEED silver rating.
4. Project Development and Documentation: Material and Assemblies
a. The project underwent unique glass selection process during the construction documentation phase. Participants will see first hand the material selected for the enclosure and public spaces that define the look and feel of the project as well as how they contribute to the sustainability metrics of the project.
TOUR MEETING SPOT
Check in at the security desk located in the building’s lobby that opens onto Figueroa.
PARKING
The building is within walking distance to the 7th street/ Metro Center Station.
FULL CREDIT LIST (Architects, Builders, Engineers, Interior design, etc.)
- Design Architect: Johnson Fain
- Executive Architect: HKS
- Builder: Owner: Mitsui Fudosan America
- General Contractor: Lendlease Construction Inc
- Structural Engineer: Englekirk (WSP)
- MEP Engineer: Glumac
- Landscape Architect: Relm
- Interior Design: Rottet Studio.
