JERDE

JERDE is an architecture and urban planning firm best known for high-profile international projects. When it came time to design the firm’s new headquarters they called on Rapt Studio, facilitating the firm’s move from Venice Beach to the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. Now housed in The CalEdison, a historic landmark building, JERDE has firmly established itself within the fabric of Los Angeles’s urban core. In the stunning 14-floor Art Deco building sits their new headquarters, framed in steel and concrete and inspired just as much by hospitality as workplace design. Upon first entering the office, a lobby with a reception desk and plush lounge seating welcome visitors, who come from all over the world to meet with the firm. Warm wood paneling provides a backdrop, and large plants frame views of the blue Los Angeles sky. To the right, a conference room sits encased in glass and can be separated into two rooms by a partition. Adjacent to those rooms, a long table lies alongside a kitchen, where employees gather. Just beyond is a model shop, where visitors can watch employees craft models of real-life projects on a small scale. Custom desks provide JERDE the flexibility of an open office layout, and a number of them have larger surfaces for reviewing drawings as teams, encouraging more collaboration. A large, open library space displays materials, and shelving like scaffolding shows off models and more plants. This is a space where raw meets polished: exposed concrete and a waffle ceiling balance high-end finishes and luxurious textures like leather, walnut, and brass. A deep green - in a shade not far from the firm’s trademark color - provides a pop. The office feels fresh and organized but still contains nods to JERDE’s traditional architectural practices. There’s still a smattering of papers, books, and models, but they accent the space instead of overwhelming it. JERDE can now graciously receive its clients in a historic yet modern setting, showcasing their work and unique design process in a beautiful, inviting space. To them, it signifies a rebirth of the firm.