Best Los Angeles Architectural Design Spots for Travel
As a Los Angeles photographer who got started in his career through street photography, I enjoy exploring the different neighborhoods around Los Angeles and finding new and exciting architectural designs to photograph.
While Los Angeles might be best known for its beaches and palm trees, some of the architecture in the area (especially around Downtown Los Angeles) represent some of the most iconic and interesting landmarks that make the city stand out.
In this blog post, I’ll be going over some of my favorite architectural designs in the Greater Los Angeles area and that I think travelers might be interested in visiting.
The Walt Disney Concert Hall - Downtown Los Angeles
As probably one of the most iconic buildings in Los Angeles, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is one of the most prominent architectural designs in the area. Based in Downtown LA and designed by Frank Gehry, the exterior of the Concert Hall features beautiful stainless steel curves.
There is also a garden patio named the Blue Ribbon Garden that features a variety of beautiful plants and a rose-shaped fountain. When visiting this garden, you can also get a beautiful view of some of the high-rise buildings around Downtown Los Angeles.
You’ll find a lot of tourists stopping at this spot to take some photos in front of the concert hall as a backdrop. The interesting curves and shape of this building makes the Concert Hall a photogenic masterpiece for any architectural photographers and enthusiasts.
The Broad Museum - Downtown Los Angeles
Situated next to the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Broad Museum is another architectural wonder worth visiting in Downtown Los Angeles. The Broad is a contemporary art museum designed as a collaboration between the architectural firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Gensler.
Characterized by materials such as concrete and steel, the exterior of the building has a unique structure of gaps spread across the structure.
In 2016, the Broad Museum was awarded a LEED Gold Certification for LEED New Construction.
The Griffith Observatory - Mount Hollywood
The Griffith Observatory is an observatory based on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood. The structure itself features a roof terrace that you can walk up during open hours (generally 12pm-10pm Tuesdays - Sundays) and boasts a beautiful view of the Los Angeles skyline. From this structure, you can also see the Hollywood Sign in the distance.
The beautiful architectural design of the Griffith Observatory includes a planetarium dome, two telescope domes, window grilles that illuminate beautifully in the dark, and a promenade walkway.
6th Street Bridge - Downtown Los Angeles
Based near Boyle Heights, the 6th Street Bridge (or 6th Street Viaduct) was recently reopened in July 2022 and features beautiful concrete arches across a long straight road in Downtown Los Angeles.
From the walkway, you can see some of the high-rise buildings centered in Downtown LA including the US Bank Tower Building, the Wells Fargo building, and more.
The architectural design of the 6th Street Bridge can make for a great backdrop for an urban-style lifestyle photoshoot here in Los Angeles.
Final Thoughts
If you plan on spending time in the Greater Los Angeles area and are interested in architectural design, then it might be worth it to try and visit some of these locations. While Los Angeles isn’t most known for its diverse architecture, you might find some beautiful pieces of work that can make your time in LA more exciting.
Thanks for reading and until next time.
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