Raymond, founded in 1936, has a rich history in lath and plaster work. In the early 1940’s, the company was awarded the plastering contract for the new City of Lakewood (known today as one of America’s first instant cities) and in 1946 reached a peak, plastering over 1,000 homes in one year.
In 1952, Raymond expanded into the commercial construction side of the lath & plaster industry with the completion of the Pioneer Savings & Loan Association building on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, followed by the Los Angeles International Airport Theme Building.
Today, Raymond remains at the forefront in lath and plaster and has recently been awarded by the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI) in plaster categories for several projects.
The Grand LA | AWCI Excellence in Construction Quality – Stucco
The Grand LA is a Frank Gehry designed, mixed-use development at the core of Downtown Los Angeles’s landmark cultural scene. The two-tower development includes a hotel, residential units, commercial and restaurant/retail space, and grand public spaces. The Grand LA is a crucial part of a larger integrated development that includes the Walt Disney Concert Hall and Colburn School, as well as future projects all designed by Frank Gehry.
In addition to framing, sheathing, and weather barrier, Raymond provided over 30,000 yards of a four-coat plaster system for the Podium levels, roofs, amenity decks, and various transition decks. A Direct-applied Exterior Finish System was provided for all plaster lids and many columns on the job. Raymond erected the exterior scaffold on the project that was 100 feet high in many locations and included cantilevered scaffold more than 30-stories in the air.
The plaster scope on the project was challenging due to many segmented areas that breakup the main entryway, podium, and each tower. It took a lot of coordination to plan out where to place scaffolding to not impact the job and reach various areas. There were five different plaster types and colors onsite with site logistics playing a significant role (the Grand LA sits on a large, steep hill with an elevation difference of 30 feet in a 280-foot span). Raymond had four plaster silos and over 100 workers to install the 30,000 yards of plaster. The project was built primarily off the BIM model in lieu of traditional plans, with both the office and field having access to the model. Learn more about the Grand LA.
YouTube Theater | AWCI Excellence in Construction Quality – Stucco
YouTube Theater is 227,000 square foot venue, offering seating for up to 6,000 guests, with state-of-the art technology, luxury guest amenities, and premium sound.
Raymond completed framing, sheathing, plaster, insulation, and fireproofing on the new three-story venue embedded under the same sloping canopy as SoFi Stadium (also completed by Raymond).
Difficulty on this project surrounded its massive scale, design, and fast paced schedule. The project’s radius walls included each stud with its own individual radius and own design. Facade redesign required completing 87,105 square feet of framing, sheathing, scaffold, and plaster within a two-and-a-half-month period, forcing a large amount of labor to work 24 hours.
Javier’s | AWCI Excellence in Construction Quality “Best of the Best” – Interior Plaster
Raymond completed the 6th Javier’s location at Westfield UTC in La Jolla, California. Contracted by PKJ Construction, and following the vision of Robinson Hill Architecture, Raymond performed the light gauge framing, drywall, and plaster on the upscale Mexican restaurant.
The design, which captivated several elements from other Javier’s locations and aimed to elicit an old-world ambiance, presented a very intricate project with curved walls and ceilings and carved plaster. Raymond Foreman Juan Zazuete and his team of carpenters provided layout and framing relying not on precise building plans, but the imagination of the architect, ultimately creating the foundation for the high-end, custom textured finishes to come. Raymond Foreman Jimmy Charpentier and his crew turned the hard lines of framing into a dreamscape of plaster.
Javier’s was the ultimate team effort, beginning in the estimating stages, gaining the client’s confidence in Raymond’s ability to bring this complicated design to life, and ending with a finished product that is an exquisite display of creativity and craftsmanship. The inviting entry of carved plaster and rich finishes transport the consumer to another time.