Design Charrette Review

In late September 2022, members of the West LA Commons development team, and representatives from the City of Los Angeles and County of Los Angeles hosted a design charrette focused on future public open space programming at the West LA Farmers’ Market.

The team created an interactive experience for attendees who were asked to select what they would like to see as part of the nearly 120,000 square feet of publicly accessible open space by using color coded dots and Post-its.

The West LA Commons team received critically insightful feedback from the community during this two-hour event. The team looks forward to updating you on how this feedback has been incorporated into the project’s design. Thanks to all who attended!

Summary of Comment Cards

Residents and visitors completed comment cards offering helpful insight into what’s important to the community.

50-75 Attendees & Respondents

52 Comments
16 Comment Cards + 36 Post-Its

404 Votes by Dots

What We Heard: Community Input

Top Eight Themes From Respondent Comment Cards

1 Sustainability

2 Natural

3 Gardens

4 Memory

5 Transit Connections

6 Local

7 Community Space

8 Art Now

Public Space Programming

Charrette participants expressed a desire to bring the community together. The highest-rated programming idea was to ensure an enhanced and expanded Farmers’ Market that remained part of the redevelopment. Attendees also expressed affinity for cultural events, such as a Japanese Summer Festival, outdoor entertainment like concerts and movie nights, and diverse food offerings.

The Commons’ Events

CONCERT
CONCIERTO
コンサート

Most “Yes” Votes

MOVIE NIGHT
NOCHE DE PELÍCULAS
野外映画上映会

POPUP KIDS PLAY
JUEGOS PARA NIÑOS POPUP
ポップアップ遊び場

COMMUNITY MEETING
REUNIONES CON LA COMUNIDAD
コミュニティミーティング

YOGA
YOGA
プガア

POPUP SKATEPARK
PARQUE DE PATINAJE POPUP
ポップアップスケートボード場

Most “No” Votes

Purdue Promenade

FARMERS MARKET
MERCADO DE AGRICULTORES
ファーマーズマーケット

Most “Yes” Votes

JAPANESE SUMMER FESTIVAL
FESTIVAL DE VERANO JAPONÉS
夏祭り

OUTDOOR CAFE
CAFÉ AL AIRE LIBRE
屋外カフェ

POPUP KIOSK
KIOSK POPUP
ポップアップ売店

POPUP EVENT
ARTE POPUP
ポップップアート

COOKING CLASS
CLASE DE COCINA
料理教室

Most “No” Votes

Public Art

Participants favored naturalistic forms and materials, notably gravitating toward presented images of clouds, meadows, and wood. When it came to murals, there was clearly more interest in cultural and human-focused subjects as opposed to abstract art. We also heard the desire to ensure the use of energy efficient lighting associated with any publicly displayed art.

Light and Digital Art Precedents

Most “Yes” Votes

No “No” Votes Cast

Murals and Surfaces Precedents

Most “Yes” Votes

Most “No” Votes

Rotating / Ephemeral

Most “Yes” Votes

Most “No” Votes

Sculpture Precedents

Most “Yes” Votes

Most “No” Votes

Materiality and Site Features

There was virtual consensus to minimize the use of concrete and a high desire to incorporate natural materials and tones with seating options that are modern, inviting, and comfortable. Some charrette participants requested the design include materials that can stay relatively cool in the heat. Bike enthusiasts expressed the need for bike racks that allow locking on both wheels.