Los Angeles

People/Products

Located in a neighborhood that has transformed from turn-of-the century Victorian residences, to a bustling industrial, office, and retail district in the 1920s, to a neglected area of disrepair in the late 20th century, Biscuit Company Lofts is part of a redevelopment movement to revitalize abandoned industrial structures into work-live lofts.

The 7-story historic 1925 National Biscuit Company factory now offers 50 different unit-plans with distinct details like alcoves and high ceilings. The architectural redesign preserves the spirit and detail of the original building designed by E.J. Eckel. The natural grain and respecting parameters exploit the initial structure, while the transformed spaces and present-day materials juxtapose the industrial features with contemporary design.

The quality of original construction allowed the reuse of many period materials. One-inch maple floors, terrazzo tile, industrial-size bronze windows, sandblasted brickwork, brass lamps, copper doors, and two original Otis freight elevators were incorporated into the new design. These historic features create a palimpsest that reveals the industrial history of the spaces, providing a tactile experience that embraces the past.

The need to strengthen the building to meet Los Angeles’ earthquake codes presented an opportunity to expose the structure and use the rough concrete walls on one side of the hallways, and curved or canted drywalls on the other.

The large factory floor plates are now part of the residential plan of corridors and hallways that accommodate the residential units, each with a distinct character. Single-story units range from 605 to 2,115 square feet. Seventeen exclusive units with 2- to 4-stories and nearly 6,000-square-feet of living space include an individual rooftop garden patio. 


People

Owner 
673 Mateo LLC

Architect
Aleks Istanbullu Architects
1659 11th Street, Suite 200
Santa Monica, CA  90404
PH: (310) 450-8246
www.ai-architects.com

Personnel in architect's firm who should receive special credit:
Principal in Charge: Aleks Istanbullu AIA Senior

Designer: Corinna Gebert

Architect of record
Donald Alec Barany Architects
Santa Monica, CA
PH: (310) 395-3308 #223

Interior designer
Aleks Istanbullu Architects
1659 11th Street, Suite 200
Santa Monica, CA  90404
 www.ai-architects.com

Engineer(s)
Adam Greco
Risha Engineering Group, Inc.,
Burbank, CA
PH: (818) 729-9777 #108

Consultant(s)
Landscape: Sean Knibb
Knibb Design
Venice, CA
PH: (310) 440-0101

Lighting:
Archit Jain
Lighting Design Alliance, Inc.,
Los Angeles, CA  
PH: (562) 989-3843

Electrical:
Joseph Nasr
Orange, CA
PH: (714) 595-0772

Mechanical & Plumbing:
Antieri Haloosim & Associates
Los Angeles, CA
PH: (213) 533-1033

General contractor
Swinerton Builders Inc.,
Los Angeles, CA
PH: (213) 896-3400
 www.swinerton.com

Photographer(s)
Tom Bonner Photography
Venice, CA
PH: (310) 396-7125
www.tombonnerphotography.com

Renderer
Aleks Istanbullu Architects
1659 11th Street, Suite 200
Santa Monica, CA  90404
www.ai-architects.com

CAD system used: ArchiCAD BIM; Autocad 2000

 

Products

Structural system
American Gunite Inc.,
Los Angeles, CA,
PH: (323) 931-1269

Exterior cladding:
Metal/glass curtainwall:
Arcadia (window system manufacturer) - Glass Connection
Los Angeles, CA
PH: (323) 888-6112 (glass contractor)

Concrete:
American Gunite Inc.,
Los Angeles, CA
PH: (323) 931-1269

Fiber Cement Panels:
CertainTeed Weatherboard
www.certainteed.com

Roofing:
Built-up roofing:
Jimmy’s Roofing
Los Angeles, CA
PH: (800) 900-1188

Elastomeric:
Waterproofing Experts, Inc.,
Canoga Park, CA
PH: (818) 592-6392

Metal:
G.E.S Sheet Metal, Inc.,
Pomona, CA
PH: (909) 598-3332

Windows:
Aluminum:
Arcadia Aluminum (window system manufacturer); arcadiaproducts.com

Glass Connection
Los Angeles, CA
PH: (323) 888-6112 (glass contractor)

Glazing:
Glass: - Glass Connection
Los Angeles, CA
PH: (323) 888-6112 (glass contractor)

Skylights:
G.E.S Sheet Metal, Inc.,
Pomona, CA
PH: (909) 598-3332

Plastic glazing:
3form Chroma panels for exterior shading devices
www.3-form.com

Doors:
Entrances:
John Dezso and Assoc.,
Orange, CA
PH: ( (714) 272-5454

Metal doors:
John Dezso and Assoc.,
Orange, CA
PH: (714) 272-5454

Wood doors:
John Dezso and Assoc.,
Orange, CA
PH: (714) 272-5454

Sliding doors:
Glass Connection
Los Angeles, CA
PH: (323) 888-6112 (glass contractor)

Fire-control doors, security grilles:
John Dezso and Assoc.,
Orange, CA
PH: (714) 272-5454

Hardware:
Locksets:
John Dezso and Assoc.,
Orange, CA
PH: (714) 272-5454

Hinges:
John Dezso and Assoc.,
Orange, CA
PH: (714) 272-5454

Closers:
John Dezso and Assoc.,
Orange, CA
PH: (714) 272-5454

Exit devices:
John Dezso and Assoc.,
Orange, CA, PH: (714) 272-5454

Pulls: John Dezso and Assoc.,
Orange, CA,
PH: (714) 272-5454

Cabinet hardware:
Marina Woodcraft, Inc.,
Inglewood, CA
PH: (310) 677-2169.

Interior finishes:
Cabinetwork and custom woodwork: Marina Woodcraft, Inc.,
Inglewood, CA
PH: (310) 677-2169

Paints and stains:
Acme Painting and Wallcovering
 Los Angeles, CA,
PH: ( (818) 845-5600

Wallcoverings:
Acme Painting and Wallcovering
Los Angeles, CA
PH: ( (818) 845-5600

Special surfacing:
Golden west Marble
PH:(818) 349-1900

Floor and wall tile:
Golden west Marble (marble panels where installed as tub surrounds and counter tops.

Furnishings:
Reception furniture:
Marina Woodcraft, Inc.,
Inglewood, CA
PH:  (310) 677-2169.

Lighting:
Interior ambient lighting:
Downlights: E-lectric Inc,
Santa Monica, CA
PH: ( (310) 392-4879
www.e-lectricinc.com

Task lighting: E-lectric Inc,
Santa Monica, CA
PH: PH: (310) 392-4879
www.e-lectricinc.com

Exterior: E-lectric Inc,
Santa Monica, CA
PH: (310) 392-4879
 www.e-lectricinc.com

Controls:
E-lectric Inc,
Santa Monica, CA
PH: (310) 392-4879
www.e-lectricinc.com

Conveyance:
Elevators/Escalators:
California State Elevator, Inc.,
Duarte, CA
PH: (626) 303-7747

Plumbing:
Aqua Incorporated
Los Angeles, CA
PH: (213) 488-1252