Architecture firm OMA has won a competition to design a mixed-use public building for downtown Santa Monica, California. The proposal, led by Shohei Shigematsu of OMA’s New York office, will replace an entire block currently occupied by a car park and a public ice rink. The recommendation will now be reviewed by Santa Monica’s City Council on 27 August 2013, with construction starting in 2014 pending approval.
The mixed-use development was designed as a stack of horizontal blocs that provide large open terraces and it will include a civic plaza, a cultural venue, retail spaces, residences, offices and a 225-room boutique hotel. In addition, the project will provide improvements for pedestrians such as wide sidewalks, bike lanes, landscaping, street furniture and additional public parking.
