Project Objective
Aluminum's Role in Creating an Outdoor Escape
The Westside Media Center is a contemporary office park and creative studio campus in West Los Angeles. The property owner, Kilroy Realty, wanted to create usable outdoor space that complemented their focus on multi-use environments for both deep work and collaboration. While wood pergolas might seem like a natural choice for an outdoor structure, they require extensive maintenance and pose fire hazards in California. Instead, the Kilroy team opted for a commercial pergola made of lightweight, sustainable metal to modernize their outdoor space.
By utilizing Parallel’s 1″ battens in our Heritage Royal Oak woodgrain finish, the team created a unique, curved aluminum pergola and metal privacy screen wall. Unlike a traditional pergola, the final structure is both inviting and modern, providing shade while reflecting the creative culture of this office park. Plus, the use of extruded aluminum ensures the metal pergola will stand the test of time structurally and eliminate the need for refinishing.
Project Design and Features
Seamlessly Blends with the Natural Environment
The Westside Media Center aluminum pergola and privacy screen exemplifies how Parallel’s woodgrain finishes enhance landscape architecture. With the warm, nature-inspired Heritage Royal Oak finish, the design team and our trusted distributor, Brightstar Management, created an exterior structure that harmonizes with its surroundings.
Durability in a High Traffic Environment
Using our 1″ aluminum batten system for the pergola and screen aspects of the shade structure creates more room for air circulation, while still providing adequate shade and privacy. This design choice was ideal for a commercial patio pergola, serving as both a communal gathering space and peaceful retreat.
Simple Install, Even on Angles and Curves
The Westside Media pergola design is unique due to its angles and curves that conform to the patio’s shape. This contemporary pergola configuration was made possible by the versatility of Parallel battens — their easy snap-together attachment system and hidden fasteners simplified the installation process.
