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Port of Long Beach: a center for global trade, sustainability and community engagement

DyeLot Interiors

Culture  /  Completed
DyeLot Interiors

Inspired by the Port itself, the space is an interactive hub that showcases the port’s global impact, innovative operations, and commitment to environmental stewardship. The space invites visitors into an immersive experience that brings to life the history, technology, and sustainable future of one of the world’s busiest seaports. The Global Trade and Education Center is named after Alan Lowenthal, who represented Long Beach in the State Legislature from 1998 to 2012 and then served in Congress for 10 years until his retirement in 2023. He was instrumental in supporting sustainability measures at the Port of Long Beach during his public career.

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Guest’s are able to learn about the Port of Long Beach’s dedication to their community and the world at large as they enter into the 3 container style Benefits exhibits. Adorning the back wall of the exhibit space, is a graphic timeline exhibit showcasing

Sustainable design was prioritized throughout the project, focusing on indoor air quality, occupant health, efficient lighting and plumbing, smart material choices, and visitor education. Low-emitting finishes with reduced life-cycle impacts were selected, and the Port committed to long-term air quality monitoring. Space planning considered solar exposure: exhibits were placed along the north to reduce lighting needs and improve thermal comfort, while the south side was reserved for circulation and evening programming. Low-velocity floor plenum ventilation delivers fresh air directly over occupants.

Standing in the kitchenette, tucked under the bold black ribbon, views of the Port of Long Beach can be seen peeking through the full glass partition of the huddle room and adjacent collaborative hospitality zone.

The project aimed for LEED Gold ID+C, converting unused office space into an educational hub reflecting the Port's sustainability goals. Strategies included high-efficiency lighting and plumbing, low-emitting materials with life-cycle impact reductions, and a long-term indoor air quality monitoring commitment. Design prioritized occupant health and solar orientation: exhibits were placed on the north side to reduce lighting needs and improve comfort, while the south side supported a flexible hospitality style zone. Mechanical ventilation is delivered via a low-velocity floor plenum to optimize air quality and efficiency.

As you step inside the container exhibit, which highlights the Port's dedication to its community, your gaze is drawn to a striking black ribbon that cascades through the space. This leads to the Innovations Exhibit, where 3D models showcase the Port’s gr

Creating a space that felt intentional and authentic to the Port of Long Beach was a top priority. From the moment visitors step off the elevator, they are immersed in an environment that reflects the Port’s identity. Exposed concrete columns, neutral greys, warm wood accents, and a bold black ribbon slicing diagonally through the space establish a striking visual narrative. This ribbon symbolizes the hull of a vessel above and its shadow below—a nod to the Port’s maritime roots. At its end sits the teal-toned container conference room, a beacon of collaboration.

As visitors move through the space, they encounter a curated array of exhibits designed to inform, inspire, and engage. Two use gesture motion technology to explore the Port’s impact locally and globally. Others include walk-through container-style displays, a Timeline wall of key milestones, and Innovation and Sustainability exhibits that highlight the Port’s leadership and forward-thinking vision. At the heart of the space lies a dramatic 18' x 33' 3D map table of the Port, which connects to a nearby screen wall to present a dynamic visual narrative of Port operations. Collaborating closely with consultants, partners, and the client, the team delivered an experience that’s multifunctional, immersive, and truly one-of-a-kind.

With the large scale interactive 3D map table and adjacent video wall, this multifunctional space can host a variety of activities and events, from special speaking events, like the one seen here, to collaborative educational experiences for the community
The completed project has made a significant impact by welcoming a diverse range of guests including business partners, dignitaries, and community members—into a thoughtfully designed, flexible space. The team focused on providing a design and approach that addressed a variety of owner needs and priorities, while complying with an aggressive schedule and staying within the allocated budget. The project was delivered well below the estimated budget and successfully opened on May 16, 2024.

Credits

 Long Beach
 California, USA
 The Port of Long Beach
 Civic
 05/2024
 10976 sq. m
  9,020,000.00 $
 Studio One Eleven
 DyeLot Interiors
 N/A
 Here and Now Agency - Paul Vu

Bio

DyeLot Interiors is a studio of design professionals who thrive on creative problem-solving. We fashion mindfully curated environments which set the stage for impactful, memorable experiences.

We are passionate storytellers who celebrate authenticity and originality. We turn potential programmatic, budgetary, and spatial challenges into creative design opportunities, utilizing ingenuity as a core attribute.

Authenticity is our guidepost for creating interior designs that reflect an experiential vision and the core values that define it. We aim to elicit an emotional connection through our design realizations and launch your position as a disruptor within your competitive set.

https://dyelot.com/


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