The 670 Mesquit development, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), has received approval from the Los Angeles City Council after nearly a decade in planning. Situated in the Arts District near the Los Angeles River, the project is a large-scale urban intervention that combines residential, educational, commercial, and recreational functions within a unified architectural framework. This ambitious complex consists of four interconnected buildings of varying heights, with the tallest reaching 34 stories. The program includes nearly 900 residential units, office spaces, a hotel, a charter elementary school, retail facilities, and green areas designed by Studio MLA. The buildings adopt a tiered profile, stepping down on one side while opening with balconies and terraces along their perimeters. According to BIG, the design draws inspiration from both the historic warehouses that once defined the area and the innovative mid-century Case Study Houses, merging industrial character with human-scale adaptability. Beyond its scale, 670 Mesquit represents an attempt to redefine the contemporary role of urban architecture in Los Angeles. It creates not only living and working spaces but also integrates educational and cultural functions within one complex. This integration raises questions about density, flexibility, and the blending of public and private realms. The approval of this project highlights both the challenges and opportunities facing twenty-first century cities, especially in neighborhoods experiencing rapid transformation such as the Arts District.

Design and Program

The 670 Mesquit project consists of four interconnected buildings organized along the Los Angeles River. Each building adopts a tiered profile that steps down gradually, creating terraces and open edges. The tallest structure, reaching 34 stories, will be dedicated primarily to office space, while the smallest volume will contain a hotel. Between them, two central buildings will provide nearly 895 residential units. At ground level, retail spaces and community areas aim to activate the street and connect the development with the neighborhood. BuildingHeightPrimary FunctionTallest Tower34 storeysOffice spaceSmallest TowerMid-riseHotelTwo Central TowersResidential scaleHousing (approx. 895 units) An elementary school is also integrated within the complex, emphasizing the role of educational infrastructure in contemporary urban developments. Studio MLA contributed landscaped spaces and an elevated public deck that cantilevers over the adjacent railway, offering a park accessible to the community. This integration of private development with public amenities underscores the hybrid nature of the project, which moves beyond being a single-use structure to become an urban microcosm.

Architectural References and Influences

The design concept of 670 Mesquit emerges from a dual reference. On one hand, it acknowledges the robust industrial warehouse typologies of the Arts District, characterized by large spans and open plans. On the other hand, it engages with the architectural experimentation of the Case Study House program, which promoted flexible and affordable housing in the post-war era. BIG combines these precedents by introducing large-scale structural clarity while allowing individual customization through balconies, terraces, and residential typologies. The result is a series of volumes that balance mass and detail, industrial strength and human comfort. While the general silhouette resembles industrial warehouses, the stepped facades, large windows, and colorful vertical elements add rhythm and accessibility. This balance attempts to reconcile the scale of the city with the scale of the individual resident.

Architectural Analysis

The logic of the design rests on the juxtaposition of industrial massing with human-centered adaptability. The tiered form allows light to penetrate deeper into the site while also creating semi-public terraces. The material palette, although not fully disclosed, is expected to reference concrete, glass, and steel, consistent with both warehouse aesthetics and contemporary urban developments. By stepping down the volumes and framing open decks, the project reduces its visual bulk and introduces a sense of permeability along the riverfront. From a contextual perspective, the project acknowledges the Arts District’s heritage of production and industry but transforms it into a mixed-use urban model. Critically, however, questions arise about affordability and accessibility: while the design promises openness and integration, the scale and luxury of the development may reinforce exclusivity in a neighborhood facing gentrification pressures. At the same time, the integration of a school and public park signals a more civic-minded ambition, showing an effort to offset these concerns.

Project Importance

The 670 Mesquit complex offers important lessons for architects and urban designers. It demonstrates how large-scale developments can blend multiple functions into a single architectural framework, moving beyond monolithic typologies. The project highlights the potential of structural clarity and modular adaptability, drawing inspiration from both industrial heritage and experimental housing programs. For architectural thinking, it contributes to the ongoing discourse about density, urban transformation, and the merging of public and private realms. This project matters now because Los Angeles, like many global cities, faces increasing pressures of growth, affordability, and sustainability. 670 Mesquit suggests that urban housing does not need to be repetitive or isolated but can instead integrate schools, offices, and cultural facilities. The project proposes a more interconnected and layered model of urban living. Its relevance extends beyond the Arts District by asking how cities can create developments that are both contextually rooted and forward-looking.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

670 Mesquit presents a bold architectural composition with tiered volumes, wide terraces, and rhythmic facades influenced by industrial warehouses and mid-century experimentation. The interplay of stepped massing and landscaped decks creates a visually striking identity for the Arts District. However, the sheer scale raises a critical question: can such monumental architecture truly respond to issues of accessibility and social equity in a rapidly gentrifying context, or does it primarily serve an exclusive market? While this tension remains, the inclusion of educational and public spaces adds long-term value. Ultimately, the project stands out as a significant urban intervention that could guide future mixed-use developments in Los Angeles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 670 Mesquit is more than just a large development project; it is a statement about the role of architecture in shaping the contemporary city. The complex brings together housing, offices, education, hospitality, and public green space within a single design framework. By combining industrial references with human-centered adaptability, it demonstrates how architectural form can bridge scales and purposes. Yet, the project also underscores critical issues related to affordability, equity, and gentrification that architects and policymakers must address. For the architectural profession, the significance of 670 Mesquit lies in its experimentation with mixed-use density and its acknowledgment of urban heritage while proposing a new model for living and working. It challenges traditional suburban and single-use typologies by suggesting that future developments can be multifunctional and integrated. As cities continue to evolve under demographic and environmental pressures, projects like this highlight the importance of architectural innovation that is context-sensitive yet forward-thinking. The approval of 670 Mesquit is therefore both a milestone for Los Angeles and a prompt for further reflection on how architecture can contribute to equitable and imaginative urban futures.

UK-based Heatherwick Studio is set to transform a historic city block in the centre of Prague into a vibrant mixed-use development known as Savarin. The project integrates shops, offices, and public spaces around a central square, breathing new life into this culturally significant site. Located adjacent to the iconic Wenceslas Square boulevard, the development preserves historic buildings while introducing contemporary additions that enhance functionality and aesthetic appeal. Receiving final building permits, the project is now ready to commence construction. With 15,000 square metres of built area, the masterplan prioritizes public access, connectivity, and green terraces, creating a dynamic urban environment. The central square is designed to serve as a focal point for community interaction, while office and retail blocks step back to optimize views and natural light, offering a balance between urban density and human scale. Heatherwick Studio's approach emphasizes careful attention to materials, craftsmanship, and urban context. By integrating contemporary interventions with historical structures, the Savarin redevelopment aims to provide both functional spaces for daily use and a cultural destination for residents and visitors alike.

Design Concept and Urban Integration

The Savarin project is rooted in a deep respect for Prague's rich architectural heritage while creating a contemporary urban experience. Heatherwick Studio has planned the new blocks to rise incrementally from the central square, with terraces and open staircases fostering connections between public and private areas. The design seeks to animate the square and streetscape, encouraging pedestrian movement and social interaction.

Historical Preservation and Renovation

Key historic buildings within the block, including facades facing surrounding streets, will be restored. Interior renovations will introduce modern amenities while maintaining architectural integrity. The baroque Savarin Palace, lending its name to the project, was refurbished earlier, alongside the opening of the Mucha Museum by Czech architect Eva Jiřičná, setting a precedent for the sensitive integration of new functions.

Green Spaces and Terraces

Green terraces and rooftop gardens are a central feature of the development, enhancing both aesthetics and environmental quality. Planting on stepped terraces softens the urban density and offers natural visual relief, while promoting biodiversity and contributing to sustainable urban design principles. ElementApplicationArchitectural EffectCentral SquarePublic gathering spaceFocus for pedestrian interaction and visual connectivityTerraces and Roof GardensUpper levels of buildingsSoftens urban density and enhances environmental qualityHistoric Facade RenovationExisting street-facing buildingsPreserves cultural heritage while integrating new useOpen StaircasesAccess between levelsEncourages movement and interaction

Connectivity and Circulation

Passageways from all four surrounding streets provide seamless access to the central square. The stepped design of blocks ensures visual and physical permeability, while open-air staircases link upper floors with public terraces and retail areas. This integration of circulation and programming creates an active, layered urban environment.

Mixed-Use Programming

The development combines retail, office spaces, and leisure areas. Shops and offices frame the central square, while public amenities are incorporated into the ground level. The design ensures that daily urban life coexists with cultural and social experiences, enhancing the vitality of the historic city centre.

Architectural Analysis

Heatherwick Studio's design balances historical preservation with contemporary intervention. The stepped massing, green terraces, and open staircases maintain human scale and encourage social interaction. The careful restoration of facades, coupled with modern interiors, demonstrates sensitivity to context while delivering functional spaces for work and leisure. Critically, the challenge lies in harmonizing new construction with historic character. The risk of overshadowing or diluting heritage elements is mitigated through careful massing, materials, and public access strategies. This approach results in a cohesive blend of old and new, enhancing the block's urban presence.

Project Importance

The Savarin redevelopment illustrates how contemporary architecture can reinvigorate historic urban areas. By combining restoration, public space, and sustainable design, it provides a model for urban regeneration that respects cultural heritage. Architects can learn from the careful balance of historical context, mixed-use programming, and pedestrian-oriented design. In an era of densification, the project is relevant for its demonstration of layered urban strategies that integrate green spaces, accessibility, and functionality, offering lessons for future interventions in heritage-sensitive cities.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The Savarin development skillfully integrates new and historic elements through stepped massing, terraces, and green roofs. Questions remain regarding the balance between contemporary addition and heritage preservation, yet the project demonstrates a constructive approach to urban regeneration. Its success lies in creating an animated, publicly accessible space while respecting the architectural legacy of Prague's city centre.

Conclusion

Heatherwick Studio's Savarin project exemplifies how sensitive design can enliven historic urban blocks. By combining restoration, contemporary intervention, and carefully designed public spaces, the development strengthens connectivity, functionality, and aesthetic quality. The inclusion of terraces, roof gardens, and open staircases encourages interaction, blurring the boundary between private and public realms. More broadly, the project offers a template for urban redevelopment in heritage areas, demonstrating that new architecture can coexist with history while enriching social and environmental conditions. Savarin underscores the value of integrated design strategies that combine cultural respect, sustainability, and urban vitality for future city planning.

Dutch studio JA Joubert Architecture has completed the Lake Views development, a striking mixed-use complex beside Tirana Park Lake in Albania. Covering 135,000 square metres, the project includes 1,150 residences alongside public and commercial spaces, blending urban density with landscape sensitivity. The design employs undulating forms to integrate harmoniously with the lakeside terrain, minimizing repetitive building blocks while offering expansive views and ample natural light. This approach combines visual interest, functional diversity, and ecological awareness, reflecting contemporary priorities in urban residential design. The development embodies a thoughtful balance between private and communal spaces. Cascading planted terraces mimic the surrounding mountains, providing green vistas for residents and fostering a sense of place. Public courtyards and pedestrian-friendly paths create lively, accessible streetscapes. The project represents a holistic vision for urban living, demonstrating how mixed-use architecture can enhance social interaction, connectivity, and sustainability, while responding to local topography and climatic conditions.

Site Layout and Tower Composition

Lake Views is composed of two primary sites. On the larger site, four towers rise from a sinuous, three-storey podium containing commercial functions. Apartments are arranged in a staggered configuration above, while a three-storey underground parking facility optimizes land use. The smaller site features two towers on an S-shaped volume with a single commercial floor at ground level. All towers feature glazed facades and protruding terraces lined with planters, enhancing visual diversity and residents’ connection to greenery. ComponentDescriptionPurposeTowersUndulating forms with cascading terracesMaximize light, views, and visual interest; reflect surrounding landscapePodium / S-Shaped VolumeThree floors of commercial space (larger site) / single commercial floor (smaller site)Support mixed-use functionality and create urban baseUnderground ParkingThree-storey subterranean facilityReduce ground-level congestion, optimize site footprintGlazed Facades with Protruding TerracesFloor-to-ceiling glazing and staggered terracesEnhance daylight penetration, connect residents with exterior greenery Public and Landscape Design At ground level, pedestrian-friendly courtyards and pathways connect the towers, integrating greenery throughout. Public spaces are designed to be accessible and serene, with twisted building layouts creating calm areas for residents and visitors. Landscape architecture includes planted terraces, trees, and open lawns, reinforcing the relationship between built form and natural surroundings. This design encourages social interaction, promotes wellbeing, and strengthens community identity. ElementFeatureFunctionCascading TerracesPlanters lining end apartmentsProvide green views and link buildings to the surrounding mountainsPedestrian CourtyardsPaths lined with vegetation connecting towersCreate calm, accessible public spacesGreen Roofs and Open AreasLandscaped terraces and lawnsEnhance biodiversity, provide communal leisure spacesIntegration with TerrainUndulating tower forms sloping into lakeside siteReduce repetitive blocks and integrate with natural topography

Architectural Analysis

From an architectural perspective, Lake Views demonstrates how urban density can harmonize with natural topography. The undulating tower forms reduce monotony and create visual connectivity across the development. Cascading terraces reinforce a biophilic approach, connecting residents to greenery while echoing nearby mountains. Pedestrian-focused courtyards and communal pathways enhance social sustainability. The integration of glazing, modular grids, and staggered volumes reflects thoughtful design logic, balancing aesthetic dynamism with functional performance in a dense urban environment.

Project Importance

Lake Views represents a benchmark for mixed-use urban developments in Albania and similar emerging cities. By addressing issues of liveability, resilience, and community engagement, the project showcases how architecture can create democratic, sustainable neighbourhoods. Its design approach provides a model for blending private and public spaces, enhancing connectivity, and introducing ecological elements within high-density housing. The development contributes to ongoing discussions on integrating landscape, architecture, and urbanism to improve residents’ quality of life.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

Lake Views highlights the potential of undulating forms and terraced façades to create both visual interest and functional urban spaces. While the scale could risk overwhelming its surroundings, the careful modulation of building heights, integration with terrain, and use of greenery maintains human-scale intimacy. This project demonstrates how architecture can merge high-density housing with environmental and social sustainability, offering lessons for future urban developments.

Conclusion

Lake Views in Tirana exemplifies the synthesis of architectural creativity, urban planning, and ecological sensitivity. The development’s undulating towers, cascading terraces, and pedestrian-focused landscapes create a vibrant, sustainable community while respecting the surrounding lakeside terrain. By combining mixed-use functions with strong visual identity, the project reinforces the role of thoughtful architecture in shaping urban experiences and fostering social cohesion. The project underscores the importance of holistic design strategies that address density, public accessibility, and environmental integration. Lake Views provides a reference for future developments seeking to balance aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability, demonstrating that innovative architecture can meaningfully enhance both the built environment and residents’ daily lives.

This comprehensive floor plan showcases a multi-level building with commercial and residential spaces, perfect for a mixed-use project. Measuring 13.78m in width and 43.35m in depth, the layout includes a basement with ample parking and storage space, a ground floor featuring shops and offices, and upper floors designated for residential use.

Colour, Culture, Community| FOAID Designs