2017 Archive : The Loop

Project Details

Fabric 1

Trapeze Plus
Producer: Dazian LLC
Supplier: Dazian LLC

Engineer Name 1
Toshiyasu Yoza, Kyle Moore

Engineer Company 1
ARUP, Mor Engineers

Design Name
Alexis Rochas

Design Company
Stereobot

Architect Name
Alexis Rochas

Architect Company
Stereobot

Please describe the project specifications

The Loop is a social gathering space in downtown Long Beach that gives its residents, visitors and workers a place to relax, socialize, and enjoy the outdoors. The space accommodates a variety of activities and programming options from reception space to fitness classes to musical performances.

What was the purpose of this project? What did the client request?

The Loop is a direct response to a public Request for Proposals from the Downtown Long Beach Associates for the design and construction of a temporary outdoor public space on an approximately 7,700 square foot site situated at the southeast corner of Pine Avenue and Ocean Boulevard. The vacant site lies within Victory Park, a dedicated public park that runs parallel to Ocean Boulevard through the Downtown.

What is unique or complex about the project?

By bringing together a powerful building technology, bold design aspirations and in-depth urban analysis we introduced a fresh approach to urban design where underutilized urban plots can be activated with a minimal set of resources and yield a maximum dividend to community stakeholders. We believe urban communities are entitled to innovative and agile urban programming opportunities: places to meet, places for work, places for information, place for art, place for play, and nature and education. The Loop brings to bear the belief that every day counts in our evolving cities.

The project is founded upon Low Impact Building Practices with a maximum creative and responsive return. Our system allows for a reduction of overall building mass of up to 60 percent, minimizing overall use of material and reducing building material waste to a nominal percentage; it establishes a compact delivery system allowing for transportation cost reductions, minimal environmental impact and facilitates the execution of structural and architectural assemblies by shortening assembly times by 50 percent other conventional methods.

Printed textiles consists of Dye-sublimated Fabric, a process provides more vibrant colors and a photo-clear definition. Dye sublimation inks are solvent free and therefore environmentally friendly. All our components implemented in The Loop are 100% Reusable, 100% recyclable.

What were the results of the project?

This project became a road map to community building by dispelling the notion that urban renewal equals large protracted infrastructural undertakings. What happens while large scale projects gestate can have a profound impact on the development of a community. Underutilized fractions of city fabric can be powerful agents in the health and prosperity of a community: a multitude of ideas, conversations, experience and memories are accumulated over a 2 year period.

The intersection of Pine Avenue and Ocean Boulevard rests at the confluence of the local community heart of Downtown and the businesses and tourist district centered on the Convention Center. The opportunity is clear. The Loop holds the power to transform not just this single corner, but to be a catalyst between Downtown, the convention center, and the waterfront. This exceptional example of public-private partnership represents a commitment to building resilient communities and promoting design and culture as a part of this innovative, tactical approach to community building.

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