Grand Casino Los Angeles

by Turner Arquitectos

© Tomás Weisser

© Tomás Weisser

Architects: Patricio Turner González y Josefina Vergara Alessandri
Client: Inmobiliaria Polaris s.a.
General Contractor: Tecsa s.a.
Structural Engineering: Pedro Araneda
Technical Inspection: Juan Pablo Lecaros y Cía. Ltda.
Lighting Design: Oriana Ponzini
Site Area: 2.439 m2
Built Area: 11.251 m2
Location: Colo-Colo 565, Los Angeles, Región del Bío Bío
Project Year: 2007-2009
Photographs: Tomás Weisser

From the beginning, the architects intended to depart from a usual casino image, where simplicity is normally ignored. They decided instead to project the image of a building devoid of ornament, one that would enrich its surroundings by the manner in which its volumes relate, creating covered areas and at the same time using the supporting structure to enhance its various façades.

Given the various purposes considered in order –casino, hotel and convention center–, the building was conceived as a number of volumes similar in appearance, but with different grades of permeability according to their purpose, inserted within the urban scheme and the existing walkway (Paseo Quilque).

In order to diminish the rigidity of the work’s structures, the vertical nature of several structural elements was altered so as to simulate tree trunks and branches as an abstraction of the surrounding woodland that represent the province’s main economic activity.

The tallest and most visible building, viewed from a distance, will house a 90-room hotel. This 16-floor tower is structured externally with concrete walls and columns. The north and south façades suggest the viewing of an opaque film, as opposed to the east and west façades, that provide light through their ample clear windows to the various rooms. These façades are lined by an array of diagonal columns that spring out of a central pillar, similar to branches extending from a tree trunk.

This trunk and its branches run across the floor levels and separate the adjoining spaces with lighting appliances defining the beginning of the tree structure.

The west side of the tower houses the entrance hall; this volume is the single meeting point of the three areas: hotel, casino and convention center. This is the area most exposed to the exterior in view of its open condition and the fact that it unites the promenades between Colo-Colo Street and Paseo Quilque.

The most enclosed area of the hotel is located to the west, housing the casino and the convention hall. Diagonal columns occupy the two main faces; a doorway provides access to the casino from the pedestrian walkway, from the north and, on the south, a “vertical garden” that grows along the entire base. In both cases, artificial lighting bathes the façade at night and is a clue to what can be experienced on entering this enclosed box: an array of images, lights and sounds that alter the notion of time, giving way to entertainment.

CASINO

The game rooms are located in the lower part of the project and are organized on a single level. The bar, located adjacent to the main room, preceded by the “trunks” that support the tower and reach down to the floor, is a 12-meter black granite bar top. The interior design also tries to emulate the woods surrounding the city by means of an enormous arrangement of tree trunks that covers the entire hall and that artificially increases the image.

HOTEL

The hotel receives its guests in the lobby located on the third floor. From here, access is provided to the spa and gymnasium –located on the 4th and 5th floor– and also directly to any of the 90 rooms. The building’s roof is the highest viewpoint in the city. The Antuco volcano can be viewed toward the east.

The architects were conscious of the fact that the tower would present an opportunity to view the surrounding environment, given that Los Angeles has few high-rise buildings. Hence, they decided to include panoramic elevators in the tower, enabling the guests to appreciate the city as they climb up to their rooms.