Architects: Daniel, Mann, Johnson, and Mendenhall (DMJM)
Year: 1964
Photography: Daniel, Mann, Johnson and Mendenhall, Stacy Kirkman, Google Inc., Anne Laskey
Materials: Concrete
Type: Office
City: Los Angeles
Country: United States
The American Cement Building, designed by Daniel, Mann, Johnson, and Mendenhall (DMJM), is located on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles and serves as a testament to the structural and architectural possibilities of concrete. Completed in 1964, the thirteen-story building features a distinctive zigzag roof and an impressive exoskeleton of 450 precast concrete “X” on its north and south facades. This latticework provides external structural support, allowing for a column-free interior with high ceilings and expansive city views. Originally built to house the American Cement Company’s headquarters, the building was transformed into seventy-one live/work lofts in 2002, with its iconic exterior left unchanged, preserving the legacy of concrete as a functional and sculptural material.
The American Cement Company’s building on Wilshire Boulevard was constructed to serve as its headquarters and highlight the strength, construction benefits, and architectural potential of concrete.
This building serves as an unparalleled showcase for the versatility of concrete, standing as both a triumph of structural engineering and a monumental work of sculptural art. To bring this ambitious vision to life, American Cement enlisted the architectural firm Daniel, Mann, Johnson, and Mendenhall (DMJM), who designed a thirteen-story reinforced concrete structure topped with a distinctive zigzag roof.
Completed in 1964, the building’s most striking feature is the vast latticework of 450 precast concrete “X”s that cover its north and south facades, resembling an exoskeleton. Though sculptural in form and visually impressive, the latticework primarily serves to provide external support for the structural system, allowing the building’s interior to remain free of columns.
The resulting interior boasts high ceilings and large, open floors with expansive city views framed by the dramatic series of “X”s. In 2002, the American Cement Building was converted into seventy-one live/work lofts, while its exterior remained unchanged—an enduring testament to the power and, indeed, the beauty of concrete.
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Project Location
Address: 2404 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90057, United States
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
