Architecture Landscape Urban Design

City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks + Scarpa’s design for the City of Los Angeles’ new standard streetlight—Lightening—reimagines urban infrastructure to reflect the city’s cultural vibrancy, technological aspirations, and commitment to equity and sustainability. Developed as part of the L.A. Lights the Way international competition, the design honors L.A.’s iconic legacy of site-specific streetlights while introducing a bold vision for 21st-century public space. Unlike the utilitarian, car-oriented models of the past, Lightening — is rooted in the principles of Complete Streets, prioritizing safety, accessibility, and inclusivity for all users—pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and transit riders alike. The design introduces a two-zone concept: a Pedestrian Zone—the first six feet of the pole—engages passersby with options for community placards, shade structures, seating, crosswalk buttons, and artistic engravings. Above, the Upper Zone seamlessly integrates advanced technologies such as 5G, smart sensors, EV charging, motion-activated lighting, surveillance, and civic wayfinding, all within a sleek, unified form. Lightening’s modular system allows the City to customize configurations based on site context—residential, commercial, or civic—offering everything from retractable EV chargers to ambient lighting for events like the 2028 Olympics. Built from recyclable materials like aluminum and stainless steel, and adaptable for solar power, the pole supports L.A.'s Green New Deal and climate resilience goals. Rather than treating technology as a visual add-on, Lightening incorporates it into the pole’s DNA—streamlining Smart City components while enhancing local identity. It’s not just a streetlight—it’s a civic platform that fosters safety, connectivity, and pride of place. By encouraging people to slow down and engage with their surroundings, Lightening transforms the simple streetlight into a beacon of urban life.

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

Brooks Scarpa City of Los Angeles Standard Street Light

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