Blog | HIRT Kinetics Retractable Glass Walls at Century Plaza LA

When designing a modern monument within a historic urban core, architecture must do more than simply frame the city's energy. It has to welcome it inside. For the multi-billion-dollar reimagining of Los Angeles' iconic Century Plaza—originally conceived by Minoru Yamasaki and masterfully re-engineered by the global architecture firm Gensler—the objective was clear: to blend grand-scale five-star luxury with absolute environmental fluidity. We are proud that our HIRT kinetics® turnkey vanishing walls were selected to push the absolute limits of structural storytelling and monumental engineering in this urban landmark.

The estate takes a masterful position in the heart of Century City, where soaring modern geometry meets the open, vibrant rhythms of the Los Angeles landscape. Gensler composed the street-level experience of this premier development to serve as a porous, multi-sensory pavilion, establishing an immediate dialog between the hotel's inner sanctuary and the surrounding pedestrian plaza.

Architectural Fluidity: The Descending Window System
To capture the coveted, sun-drenched atmosphere of Southern California, the ground floor envelope needed to open completely without any physical or mechanical interruption. Traditional lateral sliding glass or folding partitions inevitably compromise spatial continuity when stacked. By utilizing the gravity-defying mechanics of the HIRT kinetics® vertical retractable system, the hotel achieves total spatial transformation, removing boundaries down to the millimeter.

Rather than moving sideways, these monumental facades operate on a vertical plane of motion. The design relies heavily on a specialized layout to execute this flawless, disappearing operation:

- Symmetrical Elevations: The architectural plans outline an expansive grid of floor-to-ceiling glass systems spanning across both the West Side and East Side elevations of the property. When closed, they provide ultra-slim sightlines that preserve a sleek, unified, and continuous glass envelope.
- Vertical Retraction (Level 01 to Level B1): At the simple press of a button, high-precision automated motors and silent counterweights engage. Monumental, multi-ton glass units standing at a staggering 7 meters (23 feet) highglide effortlessly down from the main floor footprint on Level 01 into deep, engineered pit spaces concealed within Level B1.

When the glass walls are fully retracted, the threshold becomes entirely flush. The descending window opening makes immediate, overwhelming sense at the ground floor footprint, instantly transforming the expansive lobby into an integrative part of Century City. The indoor volumes connect seamlessly with the plaza outside, allowing guests to share fully in the sounds, scents, and ultimate luxury of the California way of life.

 
High-Performance Engineering for Urban Landmarks
Beyond its seamless, disappearing aesthetic, a structural facade of this monumental scale demands unparalleled technical execution. High-traffic hospitality hubs and five-star commercial destinations require heavy-duty performance criteria that match their design pedigree. The HIRT kinetics® systems implemented at Century Plaza are precision-engineered to withstand rigorous wind loads, urban acoustics, and structural pressures while guaranteeing effortless, whisper-quiet, and weightless functionality day after day.

This project demonstrates Goldbrecht's dedication to redefining the absolute limits of luxury fenestration across North America. By collaborating with elite visionary firms like Gensler, we continue to dissolve the boundaries of modern architecture, creating iconic, experiential spaces that celebrate and invite the natural world inside.

To discover how HIRT kinetics® or Vitrocsa by Goldbrecht can elevate the architectural integrity of your next luxury commission, contact our technical team today.

Photos by HIRT kinetics and Goldbrecht