L.A. Live Exteriors

Façade lighting design as branding for an iconic entertainment complex in downtown Los Angeles

Design Brief

The project added two mixed-use buildings, uniting the existing Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center) and Peacock Theater and creating an outdoor event courtyard between them.  

It was important that the design language of the new buildings coordinate with the existing complex.  But, the architectural forms were quite different, not being arenas like the existing buildings.  

The existing Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena)

Design Concept

The architectural design was composed of rectangular elements , with no repetitions between faces.  With such a dynamic composition, it’s important to keep the lighting concept really simple, so that we’re not adding another layer of complexity.

We arrived at washing the unadorned vertical faces with the same cool blue wash used at the existing Staples Center, while filling the inset volumes with warm fill lighting.  

On lower floors, simple downlights are used so as not to compete with the many graphic elements, while on upper floors we used linear lighting to create a sense of motion.

The finished design

While locating and coordinating all the j-box and mounting locations for the wall washers vs. the metal panel cladding system was at times an onerous task for everyone involved, the final result is a pleasant and exciting place to spend a summer evening, and a welcome addition to the downtown L.A. revitalization.

Project Team

  •  Client: Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG)
  • Architect: CallisonRTKL
  • Electrical Engineer: Morrow Meadows
  • Lighting Design: Max Pierson-Liénard, Namrata Mohanty
  • Managing Principal: Dawn Hollingsworth