The SCI-Arc Outdoor Pavilion, a.k.a. The League of Shadows, designed by Marcelo Spina and Georgina Huljich of P-A-T-T-E-R-N-S Studio.

Photo by Yuan Mu, courtesy of SCI-Arc

Update and reflection
Construction and finishing details on the new arts venue for the Los Angeles Arts District neighborhood, the SCI-Arc Outdoor Pavilion, are now complete. This past weekend it was used to host commencement for the SCI-Arc 2013 graduating class. Eric Owen Moss introduced the Pavilion to the audience and his vision for it to become a powerful arts venue that belongs as much to the arts community as it does to the SCI-Arc campus. So far, the Pavilion is achieving what it set out to do. The towering structure shielded the audience from the intense Southern California sun and will continue to provide shade in a part of the city that is greatly lacking in trees and green areas. The intricate system of textiles wrapped around the steel frame became brightly saturated with color as the sun set behind it, and as the sky darkened, the Pavilion lit up to become a bright landmark in the neighborhood.

SCI-Arc anticipates the Outdoor Pavilion to become a popular venue for the neighborhood, with Bloomfest to be the first public event to be held there. Bloomfest is an outdoor music and arts festival celebrating the Arts District and is scheduled to take place in October 2013.

Recent Wins
Mention of the SCI-Arc Outdoor Pavilion (The League of Shadows) and the architects behind the new structure
New guerilla storefront for fashion design in the Los Angeles Arts District
Coverage of SCI-Arc Outdoor Pavilion by Arts District resident 
New restaurant with a graffiti wall coming to the Los Angeles Arts District

Insight/provocation
How do architects design a building so that it is relevant to a neighborhood?
For the P-A-T-T-E-R-N-S architects, the answer was to come up with a multi-functional structure. The design for the Outdoor Pavilion allows the venue to serve two purposes for the Arts District. 1) It will serve as a landmark that can be seen from a distance, thanks to its multi-storied, simple geometric shapes. 2) At the same time, its intricate tactile patterns and vaulted interiors allow it to serve as a formal backdrop for a wide variety of events. In addition, by touching the ground at four points the structure envelops the audience, producing favorable acoustic and visual conditions for public performances.