After leading the team to victory in the “FOREST community” competition in San Francisco and continuing its promotion, Dr. Zhu Peidong accepted an invitation to practice in California, USA. He collaborated with line+Architecture Firm to lead the renovation and expansion of the “Hilton Hotel Universal Studios, Los Angeles.” As the Design Architect, Dr. Zhu led the joint team responsible for the expansion design of the new hotel building and the final visual outcome. The project’s design has successfully passed detailed reviews by Universal Studios and Hilton Hotel Group and is now entering the construction permit review process with the local authorities in Los Angeles. The hotel is scheduled for completion and global opening by 2026.
△ Night Life Image by Mir©line+
Night City LA, enchanting night scenery
“Respond to the environment, create experience, and create memory.” This guiding principle reflects our hope to bring fresh experience and vitality to Universal Studios Hollywood—an iconic cultural tourism landmark—by building on our past work in cultural tourism projects set in natural landscapes. — Zhu Peidong
In the design, line+ integrates experiences inspired by the mountainous and water terrains of Los Angeles valleys and the abundant California sunshine. By mapping urban imagery, expanding experiential boundaries, and refreshing public spaces, line+ redefines the relationship between travelers and hotels, as well as hotels and their cities. The expansion of this landmark hotel aims not only to reshape the Hollywood community and Universal Studios skyline but also to create a new generation travel destination with a unique content experience and visual identity.
△ UP UP UP Image by Mir©line+
Visitors glimpse the upward vitality of buildings and vegetation from this viewing angle
Mapping City Imagery in Dynamic Grids
Los Angeles, the largest city on the US West Coast, is a major hub for education, entertainment, and technology. Blessed with abundant sunshine and diverse natural landscapes near mountains and the sea, it is home to Hollywood, the world-class film industry center. Universal Studios Hollywood serves as the starting point and headquarters of a globally renowned theme park brand that thrives on the film industry.
△ Los Angeles Image by Mir©line+
Situated between the valley and the city
For over 40 years, the Hilton Hotel has served as a key supporting facility for Universal Studios and a distinctive landmark in Los Angeles. It has become a memorable visual icon for travelers along Highway 101, witnessing countless historic moments and welcoming celebrities and politicians worldwide.
△ Current state of the site
With the expansion of Universal Studios and post-pandemic growth in visitors, Hilton Hotel’s original capacity has become insufficient. To meet new market demands, Hilton Hotels is undergoing renovation, expansion, and brand upgrading. The owner plans to construct a new 15-story hotel adjacent to the existing 40-year-old tower, adding 395 rooms, two swimming pools, multiple restaurants, and a spa. The new facility will introduce the high-end Curio Collection by Hilton brand, emphasizing local culture and customized experiences, forming a complementary twin-brand hotel alongside the continued operation of the original tower.
△ Location Map © line+
△ Site analysis © line+
The site sits atop Hollywood Hill, between Universal Studios and Highway 101. It offers unobstructed views of the city and stunning sunsets. It is just a 10-minute drive from downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Lunyon Park, and other renowned destinations, providing excellent access to high-quality landscapes and urban cultural resorts.
△ Enthusiasm Image by Mir ©line+
Under the glow of light, passion fills the air
Facing the spatial arrangement of the hotel’s main tower and parking structure, the design adopts a modest avoidance strategy. On the slope next to the parking chassis, a parallelogram-shaped plan continues the multi-directional spatial grid hidden in the original site, creating a parallel layout that complements the old tower and presents a fresh hotel image facing Highway 101.
The relationship between the new tower and existing podium © line+
△ Trophy Image by Mir©line+
For dream seekers visiting DreamWorks
Early in the design process, a modular, prefabricated construction strategy was chosen to meet Los Angeles’ strict seismic standards and the owner’s goal to shorten the project timeline. Leveraging line+’s comprehensive digital workflow on the Rhino-Revit platform, the design integrates aesthetics and technology, enabling efficient information exchange with backend LDIs and contractors.
△ Generation of facade star-shaped units © line+
Standardized construction enhances building sustainability and reduces carbon footprint. Creating varied experiences through standardization is a key concept of the Dynamic Grids solution. The design is inspired by the dynamic blooming of Los Angeles’ city flower, the “Crane’s Hope Orchid.” By varying a standard modular framework in four directions, a dynamic grid facade responds to changing weather conditions throughout the day, offering travelers an ever-changing hotel exterior and room views.
△ Facade texture changes in response to natural light © line+
Design concept of variable facade opening and closing © line+
The star-shaped pattern of silver-framed windows is an abstraction of Universal Studios’ classic film and television heritage, reflecting the sparkle of Hollywood. Wrapped in a silver dynamic grid, copper cores of varying sizes form balconies, frames, and columns all clad in copper plates. Under the bright California sun, the building radiates warmth and passion, embodying Hollywood’s cinematic texture and DreamWorks’ magical atmosphere.
△ Stars floating in daylight Image by Mir©line+
Sparkling daytime starlight
△ Sunset Mood Image by Mir ©line+
Capturing the afterglow of the setting sun
Extension of LA Scenery in Qiugu Oasis
The new tower delivers a high-end hotel experience with enhanced supporting facilities. Additionally, line+ introduces vacation experiences and spatial options closely connected to the region. By blending activities with the environment, the design offers guests an immersive LA experience that intertwines natural beauty and urban scenery.
Building on Los Angeles’ rich green plant resources and optimal land use, the new tower leverages a 56-foot slope height difference to arrange various public areas—swimming pools, dining bars, outdoor spas, gyms—in the sloping space adjacent to the first floor. Gray spaces compatible with outdoor leisure and green landscapes connect and extend urban life into public activities.
△ Heatwave Image by Mir©line+
Unique climate support, thriving alongside lush vegetation
△ Attractive Image by Mir©line+
Partial silhouette reveals architectural scale and urban style; luxurious pool highlights hotel allure
At the central guest room level, the diamond-shaped structure extends staggeredly toward both ends, with end suites offering 270° panoramic views, forming vertical terraces against the city backdrop. The top floor features an infinity pool and a sunset restaurant. Guests can take a scenic elevator directly to the top, enjoying inspiring views of the valley, mountains, and cityscape.
△ Sectional elevation © line+
△ Evening Swimming Image by Mir©line+
Underwater lights create a dynamic beauty, inviting guests to enjoy a luxurious night
To address increasing parking demand and landscape impact, the design expands and reorganizes the existing underground multi-level parking structure, incorporating new parking technologies and mechanical equipment to meet NBC Universal’s requirements for additional spaces. The parking roof serves as both a drop-off point and scenic area for the new and old hotels, connecting to adjacent Sheraton hotels to enable peak hour parking sharing and accommodate transportation needs of staff and local residents.
△ Hero Image by Mir©line+
Black and white imagery evokes a classic, cinematic atmosphere, as if at a film festival, with the “protagonist” in a tailcoat
△ Cinematic Image by Mir©line+
Arrival scene reminiscent of a movie set
Updating Public Compatibility and Environment
Due to its landmark status, the expansion plan for the Universal Studios Hilton Hotel has attracted attention from multiple stakeholders, including Universal Studios NBCU, Hilton Hotel Group, the City of Los Angeles, and local public organizations. This has led to several pauses and revisions of the design and expansion plans in response to various concerns.
△ Many Stars Hotel Image by Mir©line+
When the stars shine brightly
In response to the project’s complexities, line+ reframed the hotel expansion as part of a multi-dimensional public environment renewal. Through sustainable strategies emphasizing urban friendliness, environmental stewardship, and resource sharing, the team balanced the owner’s urgent expansion and upgrade needs with stakeholder demands. The goal is to give back to Los Angeles, its communities, the public, and international tourists by creating a brand-new resort hotel with a distinctive urban identity, unique travel experiences, and unforgettable scenery.
△ DynamicGrids Image by Mir©line+
The new tower and existing buildings will reshape the regional skyline
Conclusion
Currently, after extensive communication and coordination with stakeholders, and collaboration with the American Architect of Record (AOR) and various professional Local Design Institutes (LDIs), the project has completed construction drawings and submitted them to LADBS for review.
Construction and commissioning will soon create hundreds of jobs in Los Angeles, with public support from local unions. Beyond its social impact, the Curio Collection hotel is anticipated to become a new visual landmark for travelers along West Coast Highway 101. For guests, it offers a destination to explore local natural and cultural landscapes. Nestled between nature and urban vibrancy, visitors will discover novelty, joy, and adventure enriched with vibrant sensory experiences.
△ Jewel Image by Mir©line+
Appearance resembling a gemstone
Project Drawings
△ General layout plan
Project Information
Project Name: Hilton Hotel Expansion in Universal Studios, Los Angeles
Design Firm: Line+Architectural Firm
Lead Architect/Project Creator: Zhu Peidong
Design Team:
Conceptual Design Stage: Hu Runzhi, Bian Qian, Zhang Daozheng, Tao Xufeng, Jiang Yuan, Yang Xiaoyu, Zhao Chensen, Xu Zifeng, Duan Xiajing (Architecture); Li Shangyang, Lu Yuping, Rao Feier (Landscape)
SD to DD Phase: Hu Runzhi, Bian Qian, Zhang Daozheng, Tao Xufeng, Yang Qihang, Zhao Chensen, Xu Zifeng, Duan Xiajing, Li Hang (Technical)
Architecture and AOR (American LDI): Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects
Structural Consultant: KPFF
Mechanical and Electrical Consultant: Interface Engineering
Interior Consultant: Atwater Inc. Studio
Municipal Consultant: KPFF
Project Location: Los Angeles, USA
Building Area: 280,775 square meters
Hotel Size: 395 rooms
Design Period: November 2021 to Present
Structure: Reinforced concrete, steel framework
Materials: Anodized aluminum panels, glass, plain concrete, thin-walled copper plates
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