The wildly unique design of the new office building known as the “Pterodactyl” in Culver City, Calif. is truly stunning. Designed by Eric Owen Moss Architects, the 16,663 sq. ft. building represents culmination of a project that has spanned 17 years. Completed in Spring, 2015, the Pterodactyl is perched atop a four-level parking garage that was built in 1998. The structure was designed to anticipate a future building, with steel columns extended above the top floor plate.
The Pterodactyl is formed by the intersection of nine rectangular boxes that are lifted one level above the garage roof and stacked either on top of or adjacent to each other. The nine boxes organize essential program elements connected by an interior, second floor bridge. The underside of the boxes is cut out to accommodate an open plan on the main office floor below.