Spinal Tap is a master plan and an architectural proposal for the High Speed Rail (HSR) development area that re-frames Downtown Los Angeles by creating an elongated open landscape on top of the 101 freeway. On the main Spine, we propose a monorail system that links 4 distinct new districts-the Urban Beach, Nonstop Space/New HSR Transit, the Cultural District, and the 101 Commons containing the existing Civic District and Disney Concert Hall. By shifting the main transit connection from Union Station to the New HSR Hub on the main Spine, we intend to invigorate the upper side of Downtown Los Angeles and activate different districts along the spine. The east/west axis on the Spine will elongate along the highway to increase use-ability of the new high speed transit center. It literally becomes an extension of the terminal. The focal point of Union Station is also shifted south to create a direct relationship with the circulatory spine. Through this proposal, the urban fabric will house outdoor and media-related programmes that create a new face for downtown and present an image that will represent the future of Los Angeles.

This post was submitted by Jeeyea Kim, Kris Hedges, Ryan Russell.