The Watermark at Westwood Village in Los Angeles is the result of a repositioning of a 1960s high-rise apartment building into a modern senior living community housing independent and assisted living.
Designer CallisonRTKL (CRTKL; Los Angeles) and interior designer HBA (Los Angeles) sought to place wellness at the forefront of the community by creating a comfortable atmosphere that offers opportunities for indoor-outdoor connections and maximizes daylight.
The he 189,000-square-foot community’s indoor-outdoor design takes advantage of Southern California’s sunny and warm weather. Watermark at Westwood celebrates this aesthetic with a bright, open interior lobby and common amenities that connect to a large outdoor courtyard.
CRTKL redesigned the first-floor public areas, including a double-height lobby with a large expanse of windows to maximize natural daylighting and provide clear views to the outdoor amenities, gardens and courtyard, fitting the new lifestyles and demands of the residents.
The tower’s courtyard was restored and transformed into a beckoning outdoor living room with comfortable seating for both intimate conversations and large gatherings as well as areas for lounging and dining. An original garden pavilion was reformatted to house a kitchen and multi-purpose dining hall. The new design employs movable glass panels and glazed walls for an open and airy interior.
Opened in March, the contemporary building has a mid-century modern aesthetic. To achieve the new design within the old building, the design team strategically utilized existing structures while making key upgrades to infill walls, windows, core, and roof walls; opening up views; and creating strong, gestural forms. The complete removal and replacement of aging infrastructure; outdated elevator equipment; and electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems brought the building up to code.
Plentiful indoor and outdoor amenities and communal spaces, including a healing garden, fireplaces, recreational areas, dining, lounges, and terraces, serve as an extension of the indoor dining hall, library, and flexible space.
Project details:
Facility name: The Watermark at Westwood Village
Location: Los Angeles
Completion date: March 2021
Owner: Watermark Retirement Communities
Total building area: 189,000 sq. ft.
Total construction cost: Confidential
Cost/sq. ft.: Confidential
Architecture firm: CallisonRTKL
Interior design: HBA
General contractor: Bernards
Engineering: Syska Hennessy Group
Builder: Bernards
