(Cover) Stories in Retail Design
Oculus Light Studio has recently been featured as cover stories in two magazines, Architectural SSL Magazine and IES’ LD+A Magazine.
78 'Press' posts:
April 13, 2022
February 10, 2020
St. Louis Aquarium Opens!
The St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station opened its doors to the public over Christmas, and they saw over 61,000 visitors in just the first week!
In the months leading up to the Christmas Grand Opening, Oculus worked with PGAV and the Contractors (literally) around the clock—the Grand Lobby inside the aquarium features a clock tower tank that recalls the Victorian origins of the 126-year old site. Located in a train shed built in 1894, the new aquarium is now home to otters, shark, and myriad species of both freshwater and saltwater creatures.
January 24, 2020
Hell’s Kitchen: Reality Restaurant
If you’re a fan of the show Hell’s Kitchen, you’re in luck! Chef/host Ramsay has just opened another Hell’s Kitchen restaurant, this time in Lake Tahoe, NV at Harvey’s Hotel and Casino. Oculus was part of the design team, collaborating with architect firm DezMotif to create an immersive atmosphere reflecting the dynamic energy of the show (minus the actual yelling).
We are happy to see it come to life exactly as planned: surface-mounted monopoints and recessed wall washers enhance the restaurant’s two-tone color theme, while warm white adjustable projectors spotlight the Winner Display wall above the banquette seating. Custom pitchfork pendants work together with dueling red and blue thematic lighting to add layers of drama, which is certainly on-brand for this destination restaurant.
August 23, 2019
Cargo Container Community
Oculus has just completed another project in collaboration with Studio One Eleven! SteelCraft Bellflower recently opened up, and it’s bringing a whole new use to cargo containers. This 15,000sf food hall has a variety of food and drink spots along with a communal dining area to relax with family and friends (and pets!).
August 7, 2019
New Affordable Housing in Santa Monica
With rising numbers of homeless populations in Los Angeles, non-profit affordable housing developer Community Corporation has been successfully increasing the number of available affordable units, especially for those who are facing unexpected economic challenges. Oculus feels both honored and proud to have worked with KoningEizenberg and Community Corp on the new Arroyo complex, which recently opened in Downtown Santa Monica.
July 18, 2019
West-side Midwest Style
Oculus Light Studio’s latest completed restaurant project Birdie G’s, alongside architects Montalba, has opened its doors in Santa Monica, CA! This is also the latest creation for Michelin-starred Chef Jeremy Fox, who has also been nominated multiple times for a James Beard Award.
June 12, 2019
Culver Studios Newly Released Renderings
The Culver Studios construction is currently underway! Oculus is working on the renovation of this 101-year old site, where nearly every studio warehouse has been removed, save for the historic buildings. The production campus will include new underground parking connecting to The Culver Steps. continued→
May 29, 2019
San Pedro Public Market Gets a Face-lift
San Pedro’s historic Ports O’ Call Village is getting a $150 million makeover! Oculus is currently working with RAPT Studio and Adamson Associates on the new San Pedro Public Market, which will include a mix of restaurants and retail, along with recreational areas and a 6,000-seat outdoor amphitheater. The first phase is expected to open as early as 2021, so keep your eyes peeled for this fresh renovation. In the meantime, check out this article for more info!
May 3, 2019
Hollywood’s Tallest Building!
The Line Lofts are now Hollywood’s tallest building! This 6-story sleek residential building is in the heart of Hollywood, near the famed corner of Hollywood Blvd and Highland. Oculus Light Studio worked with SPF:a on this contemporary multi-family project, where design highlights include an exterior stairway and tall multi-level interior volumes. Even with budget constraints, this project is a showcase of custom-made style and flair.
The Line Lofts just won an AIA Los Angeles Residential Architecture Award | Citation Award for Multi-Unit Residential!
continued→April 25, 2019
Shoes and Social Media
ABC Mart Grand Stage opened up its doors last November in Tokyo’s trendsetting Harujuku district, where it was designed with Instragrammable photo opportunities at every corner so shoppers can take their social media to the next level while purchasing fashionable footwear. Working with CallisonRTKL, Oculus Light Studio was excited to be a part of this project as careful attention was taken to ensure that the seamlessly integrated lighting would flatter both the merchandise and the selfie-ready shoppers.
ABC Mart Grand Stage was also just nominated for a Shop! Award. The winners will be announced in June.
For more information on ABC Mart, check out this article here!
April 17, 2019
LA’s LGBT Center
Last week, Los Angeles’ LGBT Center had its grand opening of the Anita May Rosenstein Campus. This 2-acre campus will help expand their services to more of the LGBT senior and youth community. Oculus Light Studio had the privilege to work on this project with Killefer Flammang Architects. This mixed-use center includes a recreation room, Youth Center, Senior Center, 100 beds for homeless youth, and a Youth Academy as well as administrative offices.
March 25, 2019
Hot Off the Press
Oculus recently finished working on Aviron, which was featured in a six-page spread in Contract Magazine’s March 2019 issue. Working with the team at Felderman Keatinge + Associates, we were able to create a successful lighting design based on their conceptual narrative of a boat moving through water, as Aviron in French means “rowing”. This narrative takes us on a journey starting with a rippling “waterfall” at the entry, through a flowing corridor past the stroking paddles of decorative pendants in the conference room, to the final destination of the lounge where the structure of the boat’s joists are celebrated with warm cove lighting.
March 6, 2019
Vegas’ New Sushi Spot
After closing up shop in Vegas in 2015 to make way for renovations, Blue Ribbon Sushi & Grill is now back in action! Located in Vegas’ off-strip Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa, the Bromberg brothers reopened this new location January 2019 after many requests to bring back all the favorites. This is Oculus Light Studio’s fourth restaurant with the Bromberg brothers, working hand in hand with Asfour Guzy Architects.
Designer Nico Meyer made a site visit before the grand opening to make sure the lighting was perfect. He says, “After aiming the lights, we had to make sure the food looked (and tasted) good under the lights too.”
February 26, 2019
Saks $250M Renovation!
Working with Gensler NY, Oculus Light Studio just finished working on the main floor for Saks Fifth Avenue’s flagship store, which ended up being a $250 Million dollar renovation! The 53,000sf floor will be filled with a variety of handbags and multiple accessories.
Associate, Joel Weston, went on site stating: “The project went smoothly with the help of an organized visual team, carefully installed lighting, and the first-hand knowledge from aiming at previous Saks stores.”
February 7, 2019
Quote This!
The words (and lighting design) of Oculus Associate Joel Weston were featured in LD+A‘s January issue with extra large font regarding Oculus’ recently completed project, Fender HQ. Listed with an IES Illumination Award of Merit, Fender’s LA office lighting reflects exactly what they are all about. Joel says “The overall look of the lighting takes cues from the knobs, frets, strings and finishes of a well-crafted guitar.”
December 18, 2018
Press is Flying in for Propeller-Shaped Residence
This new Bel-Air residence has flown onto the market for $56 million with its unique three-wing propeller design and luxurious amenities that include a home theater, a poolside deck overlooking the city, and a 1,000 bottle wine cellar! Developer Duangpatra Bodiratnangkura spent four years on the 18,850 sf mansion and chose SPF:architects for the design. Oculus Light Studio is proud to have contributed the lighting design that will truly help this residence stand out on the hilltop.
November 1, 2018
LA Times’ Article on Leisuretown
Check out this recent Los Angeles Times article featuring Leisuretown, a brewery, bar, retailer and food hall complex being built at 549 Anaheim Blvd. in Anaheim, CA. Modern Times, the project’s main tenant, will be set in a restored two-story, historic craftsman home and two re-purposed commercial buildings. This in-construction cultural hub will bring in the local community, which will surely also lure guests visiting California’s major theme park Disneyland. Anaheim is seeing an explosion of breweries opening up, particularly with a much lower permitting cost compared to Los Angeles.
October 22, 2018
New Blue Ribbon Sushi Restaurants in LA Eater
Blue Ribbon Sushi and Hank’s have recently opened up inside the new Palisades Village upscale shopping center. Oculus Light Studio had the opportunity to work alongside Asfour Guzy Architects on these beautiful designs. Check out these intimate restaurant spaces, which were recently mentioned in Eater LA!
The tranquil dining environment at Blue Ribbon Sushi is surrounded by warm lighting that accentuates the beautiful color of the wood panels and the dark ceiling and walls at Hank’s have a soft reflection from the glowing divertive fixtures that provide a retro feel.
September 18, 2018
Sharks Take-Over at Georgia Aquarium
Get ready for the new 28,000 sf shark and sea predators exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium, where visitors will be immersed inside a world filled with the likes of hammerhead sharks, sand tiger sharks, tiger sharks, and sandbar sharks, oh my!
“Sharks are one of the most misunderstood species in the ocean,” says John Kasman, Vice President at PGAV Destinations.“The goal of the new shark habitat is to provide a fresh perspective on the vital role sharks play in our oceans’ health, and educate guests about the significant threats these animals face from over-fishing and habitat loss.”
August 24, 2018
915 Wilshire Dexinger Review
Dexinger, the leading online portal for designers, architects, and creatives of all kinds, has posted about Oculus Light Studio’s project on their website! In last months post, they mention the re-imagined public spaces at 915 Wilshire Boulevard. With all of the exciting new upgrades to its amenity spaces, their visitors can now have a relaxing experience.
Wondering what Oculus Light Studio did to make this space more inviting? Working alongside architect HLW International, we created the custom pendant, mimicking the contours of the spaces furniture layered with concealed lighting. The courtyard is illuminated via uniquely spaced clusters of light to create a playful nighttime atmosphere.