The Helios House, a “green” gas station by Johnston Marklee & Associates in L.A. Built in 2007. (Photos by C-M.)
Oh, the architectural drama! I finally pumped gas at that fancy-pants Gehry-meets-Zaha gas station on the corner of Robertson and Olympic in Los Angeles. No scruffy guys in oil-slicked overalls here. Helios House, by Johnston Marklee & Associates, has the uber-hip feel of a thumping, high-end night club — and the name to go with it. The station brims with oodles of stainless steel and all kinds of “green” goodies, including solar panels, a roof with native plants (which we’ll have to take on the architects’ word, because I couldn’t see them) and energy efficient lights — all so that when you and your entourage pop in to fill up the Escalade, you feel like you’re doing good for Mother Earth (in a stylish way, of course). I wish someone would do up a 7-Eleven this way. ‘Cuz I’d really like to recreate this sensation every time I pick up my afternoon Slurpee.
See a really nice shot of the building here.
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