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Concrete and Couture: The Webster LA's Iconic Pink Concrete



The Webster LA, designed by renowned Ghanaian-British architect David Adjaye and brought to life through the technical expertise of RHa, EA Pigments, Shaw & Sons, and Architect of Record Neumann/Smith Architecture, is an upscale luxury retail destination located on Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. Since its opening in February of 2020, The Webster LA has provided customers an experience like none-other, offering a curated selection of high-end designer clothing, jewelry, and accessories staged within the beautiful concrete designs of Adjaye Associates.


RHa, EA Pigments, and Shaw & Sons were responsible for the consistency of the striking pink concrete that defines The Webster LA amongst its neighbors on Beverly Boulevard. RHa, EA Pigments, and Shaw & Sons were responsible for the consistency of the striking pink concrete that defines The Webster LA amongst its neighbors on Beverly Boulevard. RHa's involvement focused on contract documentation and ensuring the technical feasibility of this colorful concrete, which was created using a custom integral pink iron oxide rather than a topical pigmented mineral stain. Through a rigorous mock-up process, the concrete design mix was meticulously tested and refined to match the precast units in accordance with the design intent. This team of experts defined the best concrete methods and techniques to ensure a rich and steady pink hue across both the exterior and interior of the storefront.



The use of pink concrete extends beyond the building’s facade, with the material creatively incorporated into the interior design of the store. It forms functional elements inspired by Isamu Noguchi’s monolithic and semi-brutalist architecture, such as ledges, shelves, and stages designed to artfully display merchandise and enhance the store’s sophisticated aesthetic (thewebster.com, 2020). Although minimalistic in concept, the pink waves and columns that make up The Webster’s interior create a dynamic and vibrant space that enhances the visitor experience past standard clothing racks and drawers. The Webster LA is a wonderful example of how concrete may only seem like a standard building material to some, but that the right visions, architectural designs, concrete methods, incorporated artistic elements, and overall building aesthetic can positively affect the visitor experience for years to come.


The founder of The Webster, Laure Heriard Dubreuil, said to Vogue in a 2020 article covering the opening of The Webster LA that, "It’s very important for me to really have an understanding of the surroundings when we are opening a new store somewhere. I want to understand the people, the lifestyle, the rhythm of the city" (Bobb, 2020). Dubreuil has moved to each city in which The Webster opens, including New York, Miami, and Houston. Although semi-Brutalist in the aspects of raw material usage, minimalistic constructions, and design functionality, The Webster's pink concrete, digital art wall on the underside of the exterior facade, and decorative water fountain creates a sibylline and inviting experience for passersby on the streets of Los Angeles, standing firm in Dubreuil's vision of a structure that flows with the energy of its surroundings. In November of 2020, Sir David Adjaye was presented with the seventh annual Isamu Noguchi Award alongside co-recipient, artist Cai Guo-Qiang (www.noguchi.org, 2020). The Webster LA has since received several honors and awards in architecture and design.



Original Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoui
Original Photograph by Laurian Ghinitoui

In 2025, The Webster LA was included in Vogue Magazine's editors picks for the 2025 Guide to Los Angeles under their shopping section. RHa is extremely proud to have contributed to a project with such recognition, and hopes that visitors enjoy their experience moving through the interesting design of The Webster.


Nearly five years after the completion of this project and the opening of The Webster LA, the custom pink hasn’t faded a bit, and continues to be a staple of The Beverly Center.



REFERENCES:


Bobb, B. (2020, January 20). David Adjaye Has Built A “Cathedral” for The Webster’s New L.A. Outpost. Vogue. https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/the-webster-la-laure-dubreuil-david-adjaye


Experience luxury shopping at the Webster’s Los Angeles store, located at the Beverly Center in California. The Webster. (n.d.). https://thewebster.com/shop/los-angeles?srsltid=AfmBOoqzJDDCsLmcWW9CNKQrp2MRDKYDNBlsghuBtLYk431YvwIgDKvR


Vogue. (2025, February 27). The Vogue Editors’ Guide to Los Angeles. https://www.vogue.com/article/the-vogue-editors-guide-to-los-angeles


2020 benefit and isamu noguchi award. The Noguchi Museum. (2023, August 7). https://www.noguchi.org/museum/support/special-events/benefit/2020-2/



 
 
 

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