Design Studio Genesis to Launch in El Segundo, Southern California
Genesis Design California: A Modern Oasis for Luxury Automotive Design
Genesis, the luxury automotive brand, is set to make a significant mark in Southern California's influential automotive landscape with the opening of its new design studio, Genesis Design California, in El Segundo. Spanning 80,000 square feet and employing 45 people, the studio will serve as a creative hub for blending innovation, design excellence, and cultural inspiration.
The studio's design is a fusion of natural inspiration, luxury materials and craftsmanship, and a modern minimalistic approach, infused with California’s unique environmental and cultural identity. The use of materials like black granite, marble, and stainless steel in large-scale installations reflects a bold, natural yet refined aesthetic. Incorporation of reflecting pools with linear burners, aiming to mimic reflections of nearby lakes, conveys an emphasis on tranquility and harmony with the environment.
Clean lines, rich materials like bronze patinas on copper podiums, and streamlined stainless steel sculptures emphasize sophisticated simplicity paired with tactile richness, a hallmark of modern luxury design in California. The studio also reflects California’s cultural vibrancy, likely drawing inspiration from the area’s dynamic design sensibilities and the creative energy of El Segundo as a hub for cutting-edge, lifestyle-oriented innovation.
The studio will feature collaborative workspaces, digital design labs, and a clay modeling studio. For moments of quiet focus, private areas enclosed in soft acoustic felt provide a serene and calming environment. Visitors can find a tea platform inspired by Korean traditions, outdoor spaces modeled after Korean gardens, and an upper-level patio for events and dining.
Luc Donckerwolke, the Chief Creative Officer of Genesis, made the announcement at a private event in Los Angeles. Donckerwolke, who before joining Hyundai Motor Group worked as design director for several iconic automotive brands, including Audi under the Volkswagen Group umbrella, cited the climate, cultural arts, and automotive scene of Los Angeles as key influences on the studio's design.
In 2022, Donckerwolke was awarded the prestigious "World Car Person of the Year" title, acknowledging his transformative impact on the industry. The award cemented Donckerwolke's status as a powerhouse in automotive design. The open workspace includes collaborative breakout areas, flexible seating, spacious offices, and conference rooms, creating an environment that fosters creativity and innovation.
The design studio, Genesis Design California, incorporates natural light and materials to reflect the Genesis ethos. As the brand continues to draw on its Korean heritage while embracing modern aesthetics, the studio is poised to be a significant contributor to the future of luxury automotive design. The studio is scheduled to open its doors in early 2025.
- In addition to serving as a creative hub for luxury automotive design, the Genesis Design California studio also reflects California's cultural vibrancy, likely drawing inspiration from the area's dynamic design sensibilities.
- The studio's design, which includes collaborative workspaces, digital design labs, and a clay modeling studio, is an embodiment of the Korean heritage of the Genesis brand, blending it with modern aesthetics.
- The technology sector is not the only one to benefit from California's innovative environment; the finance industry might also find inspiration in the unique blend of luxury, innovation, and cultural inspiration showcased at Genesis Design California.
- Aside from home-and-garden elements like an upper-level patio for events and dining, the studio also incorporates a tea platform inspired by Korean traditions, symbolizing the balance between tradition and modernity embodied by the Genesis brand.
