West Coast International Gateway Competition : Los Angeles : 1989
An International competition entry to design a national monument to Immigration.
Located above the freeway in downtown Los Angeles the competition site acted as a major link in a chain of neighborhood "Gateways" and was situated on two urban axis.
The scale and mass of the main "mask" was intended to complete the urban plaza bounded by the U.S. Courthouse, City Hall East and the Federal Building.
The project was conceived as an narrative expression of welcome to all immigrants and a celebration of their rich and varied cultures.
"Everyman" is symbolized by the main structure of the mask of humankind. Celebrating the spirit of immigration and migration are the "Welcoming Hands".
The "Gateway Bridge" links the diverse cultures of the globe to the wealth of culture that are the spirit of Los Angeles.
All are invited to participate in the ceremonies on the "Ceremonial Platform"; in the performances in the "Festival of Nation Amphitheater"; in the exhibition spaces of the "Left Hand"; to explore history in the "Family Tree Hall" or geography, science and nature in the "Global Village" and views from the "Gallery of the Mind" and the "Galleries of the Eyes".
The main plaza was designed as a series of reinforced concrete platforms linked to a central spine cantilevered from the median of the freeway. Tensile connections tie back the extreme points of each plaza to the central spine. The 'Mask: base structure is a prefabricated reinforced concrete conic sections with radiating ribs supporting the main collar level. Upper structures of the " Mask" and hands are prefabricated in lightweight steel truss framing. A skin of titanium panels forms the "Mask" surface.
Competition drawings from this project have been exhibited in architectural exhibitions on both the USA and Japan.