Co-Grow
Location: Los Angeles, United States Year: 2021
Co-Grow aims to become an urban connector reconnecting the industrial neighborhood to the Los Angeles River through fostering creativity and information sharing. By introducing the children’s museum and making activities to the main co-working program, the project is a spatial exploration of work, play, and grow. The co-working space is housed in the floating roof substructure to celebrate the views of the city. From the public plaza to the open terraces, the major public circulation acts as an elevated urban promenade, voids carved through the interconnected building masses to create a fluid transition from public to private, and the river.
Co-Grow is more than an office—it's a living, breathing space that cultivates collaboration and innovation. The open-air rooftop design, constructed entirely from CLT, fosters a seamless connection between people and nature. Designed with flexibility in mind, the space accommodates co-working desks, casual lounges, and event areas, all enveloped in the natural beauty of wood. Sunlight filters through timber lattices, and greenery intertwines with the structure, reinforcing the concept of growth, both personal and communal.
The project is located in Chinatown, Los Angeles, where the design team conducted extensive research on the evolution of the Downtown LA (DTLA) skyline as a key starting point. By analyzing historical and contemporary shifts in building heights, architectural styles, and urban density, the designers identified patterns that informed the project's form and vertical scale. This study ensured that the building not only integrates harmoniously with its surroundings but also responds to the dynamic urban fabric of DTLA.
The primary building material for Co-Grow is Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), chosen for its structural strength, sustainability, and aesthetic warmth.
By embracing timber technology, Co-Grow sets a precedent for urban development—one that prioritizes sustainability, community, and well-being. It demonstrates how architecture can grow with the city rather than compete with it, offering a future where buildings are as adaptable and regenerative as the people who use them.