“Tarzan and Tarzana” - Tampa Station, Orange Line

Los Angeles Metro System

In collaboration with Elyse Pignolet, 2005

Design of terrazzo tile flooring for two platforms of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority's Tampa Station on the Orange Line.

Concept: Since the entire stretch of the Orange Line has identical stations, with the exception of the terrazzo floorings, we wanted to create a pattern that a rider would instantly recognize as the stop of Tarzana. As commuters tend to read or listen to music, only occasionally glancing up to see what station they are in, we wanted something simple and bold. Since the land of the city of Tarzana was formerly the ranch of ER Burroughs (who named his ranch after his most famous character, Tarzan of the Apes) we knew that African animal patterns would make that connection, and also resemble animal hide rugs.

Also, imagining a daily commuter using the station, the entire novel of “Tarzan of the Apes” has been reproduced on two enamel on steel panels, so that a commuter could read the novel - from which their town draws it’s name - over repeated visits to the station.