{"id":6211,"date":"2019-12-03T19:00:42","date_gmt":"2019-12-03T19:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/?p=6211"},"modified":"2025-09-05T15:02:30","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T15:02:30","slug":"hotels-renovated-porte-cochere-greets-guests-with-origami-like-sculptural-facade-clad-in-alucobond-plus-with-spectra-color-shifting-finish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/hotels-renovated-porte-cochere-greets-guests-with-origami-like-sculptural-facade-clad-in-alucobond-plus-with-spectra-color-shifting-finish\/","title":{"rendered":"Hotel\u2019s Renovated Porte Cochere Greets Guests with Origami-Like Sculptural Fa\u00e7ade Clad In ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS Spectra Color-Shifting Finish"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A unique, glistening origami-like sculptural fa\u00e7ade greets guests arriving at a Los Angeles airport hotel via its newly renovated Porte Cochere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tasked with transforming the dark, dated fa\u00e7ade of the original 1980s-era hotel arrival tunnel, Houston\/Tyner<\/a>, a professional architectural corporation based in Torrance, Calif., wanted to create \u201ca showcase for the boulevard\u201d with the nearly 300-foot long 14,950 square-foot Porte Cochere that spans the entire length of the hotel, according to Russel Tyner, AIA, NCARB, principal architect, Houston\/Tyner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Highlights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\u2022 The architects selected ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS in White Gold in the Spectra color-shifting finish for the Porte Cochere\u2019s exterior sculptural fa\u00e7ade and interior walls as well as to create five chandelier-like soffit medallions that were installed from the interior ceiling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2022 The nearly 300-foot long 14,950 square-foot Porte Cochere that spans the entire length of the hotel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2022 Each of the sculptural fa\u00e7ade pieces is designed and fabricated from an individual panel of ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS and contains no seams. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Project Name: <\/strong>Porte Cochere

Location:<\/strong> Los Angeles, CA

ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS:<\/strong> White Gold, Brushed Carbon

Architects:<\/strong> Houston Tyner

General Contractor:<\/strong> Driver Special Projects Group (SPG)

Fabricator: <\/strong> Elward Systems Corp.

Installer: <\/strong> Crowner Sheet Metal Products, Inc.

Photography:<\/strong> \u00a9 Daniel Lunghi <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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“We wanted to create a very dynamic entrance for guests with a bold design that is light and uplifting and that could serve as a gateway to Los Angeles,\u201d said Tyner. \u201cIn order to completely reshape the skyline along the main corridor to LAX, we used the origami panels as a reflection of rolling, thunderous clouds while incorporating an LED thunderbolt in the facade\u2019s lighting.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a0\u201cOur design team landed on a contemporary design of sculptural suspended rolling clouds; however, we knew that our vision might be hard to execute,\u201d said Gina Cabotaje, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, associate, Houston\/Tyner.\u00a0 \u201cWe began our search for an exterior rain screen that would provide the flexibility to make our concept real. And, in order to add elements of dimension, we focused strongly on lighting design.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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The sculptural design of the renovated Porte Cochere was created with ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS<\/a> aluminum composite material (ACM) by 3A Composites USA<\/a>. A total  of 16,745 square feet of 4mm ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS was installed as cladding, including 8,180 square feet of ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS in White Gold from The Spectra Collection of color-shifting finishes and 8,565 square feet of ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS in Brushed Carbon (previously called Brushed Graphite) from The Natural Collection\u2019s Element Series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(As the original \u201caluminum composite material,\u201d\nALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS has been developed exclusively to allow architects and designers\nto meet the fire performance requirements of today\u2019s building standards while\nusing ACM as the material of choice. Consisting of two sheets of smooth .020\u201d\naluminum thermo-bonded to a solid, fire retardant core, ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS is one\ncomponent of the assembly that meets the requirements of fire classifications\nwhile offering the proven product properties such as flatness, form-ability,\ndurability and ease of fabrication. ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS is manufactured in a\nstandard 4mm thickness.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cAfter researching alternatives, we landed on\nALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS exterior wall panels to provide just the right amount of\nflatness, rigidity and formability,\u201d said Cabotaje. \u201cBeing extremely\nlightweight and thin, this ACM gave us the design flexibility to execute our\nvision of a bright new sculptural fa\u00e7ade.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The architects selected ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS in White Gold in the Spectra color-shifting finish for the Porte Cochere\u2019s exterior sculptural fa\u00e7ade and interior walls as well as to create five chandelier-like soffit medallions that were installed from the interior ceiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Existing vertical columns were re-wrapped in\nALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS Brushed Carbon from The Natural Collection and highlighted with four-color\nLED lighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(ALUCOBOND PLUS Spectra colors are transitional finishes which celebrate the natural color shifts that occur in materials that affect everyday life; the subtle nuances and color contrasts found readily in nature, the glowing luster and sheen in modern metals and the color shifts found in today’s luxury goods. Color adds fascination to the world; ALUCOBOND\u00ae Spectra colors add fascination to architectural design. ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS Natural colors amplify the natural beauty and character of many natural elements to enhance the design of your architectural project while maintaining the durability and lightweight properties of aluminum. )<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWe initially were drawn to the depth and richness of the ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS Spectra colors,\u201d said Cabotaje. \u201cOne of the things we love about the origami panels is their varying, dynamic surfaces that allow light to reflect and create abstract and ever-changing shadows \u2013 like those of clouds rolling across the sky. The color-changing illusion of the White Gold further enhanced our vision for the origami panels, while the Brushed Carbon created a perfectly balanced contrast. When selecting the panel colors, it was also important to us that we stay mindful of our renovation\u2019s impact on the existing building. We feel that the carbon color compliments the original building and creates a seamless transition into our new Porte Cochere.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Fabrication and Installation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS was fabricated by Elward Systems Corp<\/a>. , of Lakewood, Colo., and installed by Crowner Sheet Metal Products, Inc.<\/a>, of Baldwin Park, Calif., with an Elward Systems Corp. custom 3-D route-and-return system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Houston\/Tyner architects spent six months designing the Porte Cochere\u2019s fa\u00e7ade, inviting Elward Systems Corp. to join the project in a design-assist role in May 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anaheim, Calif.-based Driver Special Projects Group (SPG)<\/a> \u2013 an affiliate of Pasadena, Calif.-headquartered C.W. Driver Cos. \u2013 served as general contractor for the project. Project management services were provided by Los Angeles-headquartered Cumming Corp<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elward Systems utilized AutoCAD 3-D software and CNC routing to bring the architects\u2019 vision for this sculptural facade design to life. To ensure design specifications, Elward Systems built a detailed plywood mockup prior to fabricating approximately 1,000 ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS panels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\nEach of the sculptural fa\u00e7ade pieces is designed and fabricated from an individual panel of ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS and contains no seams.\n\n<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cTo create the 3-D shapes, the ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS was\nrouted and returned to different depths and orientation,\u201d said Scott Jawor,\nregional manager, Elward Systems Corp. \u201cThe fabrication process was similar to\nfolding a napkin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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While sculpturally substantial, the origami-like\nfa\u00e7ade cladding pieces remained lightweight, according to Jawor, who described\nthe weight of the ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS as \u201cnegligible\u201d and negating the need to\nretrofit the existing fa\u00e7ade to accommodate additional weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sizes of exterior soffit sculptural fa\u00e7ade pieces\nranged from approximately 2 inches by 1.5 feet up to 2 feet by 15 feet. The\nfive interior floating chandelier-like soffit medallions measured approximately\n3 feet by 8 feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe unique geometry of these pieces was enhanced by the color-shifting properties of ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS in the Spectra finish,\u201d according to Jawor, who said the White Gold panels appear to shift in color from pristine white to a gold tint. \u201cThis project really lent itself to the color-shifting characteristics of Spectra.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Elward Systems worked closely with Crowner Sheet Metal Products \u2013 especially during field measurements for the project. Panel installation was completed over the course of 16 months as the hotel remained open to guests. The renovated Porte Cochere opened in June 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cOur clients wanted to create a vibrant, light-filled Porte Cochere that would be timeless,\u201d said Tyner. \u201cThey were very pleased with our design. Overall, we think people love it. It\u2019s a very energetic and happy place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Introduced in 1969, ALUCOBOND\u00ae is\nthe original and world’s best-known aluminum composite material. ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS\nis manufactured in the United States in the Benton, Ky., plant of 3A\nComposites. The 3A Composites USA headquarters are based in Davidson, N.C. For\nmore information about ALUCOBOND\u00ae PLUS ACM, call 1-800-626-3365, email info.usa@3AComposites.com<\/a> or visit www.alucobondUSA.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A unique, glistening origami-like sculptural fa\u00e7ade greets guests arriving at a Los Angeles airport hotel via its newly renovated Porte Cochere. Tasked with transforming the dark, dated fa\u00e7ade of the original 1980s-era hotel arrival tunnel, Houston\/Tyne, a professional architectural corporation based in Torrance, Calif., wanted to create \u201ca showcase for the boulevard\u201d with the nearly 300-foot long 14,950 square-foot Porte Cochere that spans the entire length of the hotel, according to Russel Tyner, AIA, NCARB, principal architect, Houston\/Tyner. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"yes","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[28,481,226,86,141,51,57],"class_list":["post-6211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-case-studies","tag-architecture","tag-architecture-trends","tag-color-changing","tag-fabrication","tag-facades","tag-hospitality","tag-hotels-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6211","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6211"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6211\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8725,"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6211\/revisions\/8725"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6211"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alucobondusa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}