8888 Washington

Developer: Runyon Group
Architect: Abramson Architects
Construction: KPRS

With a mission to attract tech industry tenants to Culver City, Runyon Group enlisted Abramson Architects to develop a commercial space that transcends the idea of the modern, creative, tech workspace.  Thus, ‘Synapse’ was born—a sleek, mid-rise office building in the newly revamped Hayden District. Completed by KPRS in 2021, the 92,000 SF office building combines three levels of creative workspace with ground floor retail and a highly efficient, automated parking garage, providing tenants the ideal environment to grow their businesses and spark new ideas. Inspired by the brain’s neural networks, the building boasts many unique design features. The structure appears to float over the recessed glass storefronts at street level. The exterior membrane, made from custom-molded panels, frames the sprawling windowpanes in abstract, cellular shapes. Inlaid LED strips also weave throughout the façade, mimicking neurotransmitters firing along electrical synapses in the brain.

The team partnered with LFA to overcome a variety of structural challenges presented by the building’s elaborate design and programming. The desire for open floorplans required tight collaboration with the architecture team to strategically locate the building’s structural framing. With the elevated floors spanning over Washington Boulevard’s pedestrian walkway, the team developed a column-free exterior. Further, the subterranean, automated parking garage system was to center around a mobile, three-story robotic tower that needed to move about the entire length of the building’s basement. This feature required that the below grade elevated slabs were split in two, to effectively create a three-story vehicle shelf on either side of the automated tower. The building façade’s elaborate visual design, configuration and makeup meant that each composite panel and respective attachment were unique conditions – much like a sculpture.  LFA’s in house exterior wall expertise was pivotal in developing the details that closed the scope gap between the primary structural framing elements and the façade interface.  Through each challenge, coordination between the design team and builders was integral to the project’s success.

The building’s value and impact on the surrounding community has already taken shape. Per Urbanize LA, one commenter indicated, “that’s a good-looking building. The design is a modern take on programmatic architecture…Very clever.”  Another stated,” I always loved this project, more of this in LA!” The structural design successfully maintained the architectural and programmatic intent: fulfilling Runyon Group’s mission to provide a progressive space for the tech industry.