Category: News

Essays on the Tall Building and the City, authored by Scott Johnson, represents the third installment in a series of three and examines tall building design in seven diverse cities around the world. “Johnson has attempted to create a book that is not only accessible to young architects but eye-opening to veterans of the profession. By virtue of sharing his nuanced eye and macroscopic understanding of each of these urban centers, Johnson provides not only a refreshing take on tall buildings, but also the idiosyncratic ground from which these cities spring.” -Julia Ingalls, Architect’s Newspaper

JOHNSON FAIN has been commissioned to design 641, a unique 12-story mixed-use loft apartment residence in the heart of Los Angeles’ Arts District for ADAM LINDEMANN, well-known businessman and art gallerist. Located at the corner of Imperial and Jesse Streets, 641 meets all requirements of the Hybrid Industrial Live/Work Zone and includes 140 live/work lofts, 7,000 square feet of ground level retail and art production space, and 7,000 square feet of creative office space on the second floor. All parking is below grade. Residences range in size from 600 to 1,300 square feet and have ceiling heights in excess of 10 feet. Floor-to-ceiling glass and open loft interiors encourage flexibility and creative living. Building materials include board-formed concrete, recycled brick and industrial steel windows with balconies.

Johnson Fain is pleased to announce the completion of two 41-story luxury residential towers in Taichung City, Taiwan. A sky lounge connects the two towers, providing spectacular views of the city. The exterior shape and skin of the structure is a faceted glass system which multiplies views and animates the towers, while the base is clad in a rich palette of granites and marbles. Each floor of the towers contains two condominium homes, each over 3,000 square feet in size with large glazed balconies offering views of nearby cultural landmarks. Amenities on the lower floors include a tea room, salon, library, meeting rooms, gardens, screening theater and an expansive fitness, pool and spa facility.

Johnson Fain is pleased to announce the publication of Essays on the Tall Building and the City, authored by Scott Johnson, Founder and Design Partner at the firm. This book represents the third installment in a series of three and examines tall building design in seven diverse cities around the world. The initial book in the series, Tall Building: Imagining the Skyscraper (2008) explored the history and culture of the skyscraper and the second book, Performative Skyscraper: Tall Building Design Now (2014) investigated the trend toward high performance and the application of digital technologies. Today, with more than half of the world’s population residing in urban areas, the city is believed by many to represent our civilization’s greatest locus for creativity, economic productivity and potential sustainability.

Johnson Fain is pleased to announce the completion of the design for the transformation of the iconic Crystal Cathedral to CHRIST CATHEDRAL in Garden Grove, California for the ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ORANGE. Originally designed by Philip Johnson for Reverend Robert Schuller, the building will now undergo extensive improvements to the all-glass 2,000 seat interior, transitioning this important architectural landmark into a Roman Catholic place of worship. The design will also address sunlight control, acoustics and environmental comfort. This historic opportunity restores and respects the original building while creating a unique sacramental space within the framework of the original classic modern structure. Landscape design will be completed by Rios Clementi Hale Studios. The Diocese’s goal is to dedicate the Cathedral by 2019.

Johnson Fain is pleased to announce the completion of BLOSSOM PLAZA in Chinatown. Designed by Johnson Fain for FOREST CITY REALTY TRUST, the new transit-oriented, mixed-use development links a highly accessible and pedestrian-friendly network of public open spaces to the Metro Gold Line Chinatown station. The plaza ignites a vibrant and culturally rich urban experience with 237 apartments, 20,000 square feet of ground level retail and restaurant space, and 19,000 square feet of public space which accommodates neighborhood events. Associate Architect: Togawa Smith Martin.

Scott Johnson discusses factors, trends and design elements that are driving the rise and success of Los Angeles’ ubiquitous dense urban projects in this Urban Land Magazine article.

LA PLAZA VILLAGE, the new transit-oriented, mixed-use development, designed by Johnson Fain and developed by HIGH STREET RESIDENTIAL and THE CESAR CHAVEZ FOUNDATION for the Smithsonian-affiliated LA PLAZA DE CULTURA Y ARTES MUSEUM, has broken ground. Fortifying the historic center of Los Angeles, the development will be a contemporary urban village combining over 40,000 square feet of ground-level retail, restaurants, cultural programming and 355 multi-family residences. A vibrant pedestrian paseo will thread communal areas throughout the two block development, connecting Union Station, the Pueblo, Olvera Street, and the LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes Museum to the Fort Moore Memorial, the Civic Center, and the Performing Arts District. The project is scheduled for completion in 2018.