The Letterman Digital Arts Center. The new headquarters for Industrial Light & Magic, LucasArts, and Lucasfilm Ltd. is known as the Letterman Digital Arts Center (LDAC). This location, formerly a military hospital situated in the Presidio of San Francisco near the Palace of Fine Arts, has undergone a redesign to cater to the needs of this entertainment powerhouse. George Lucas himself meticulously supervised the digital conceptualization and rendering of each room within the buildings before any physical construction began.
The location spans 23 acres, dedicating 17 acres to public parkland, while the remaining six acres are occupied by four low-rise brick and stucco buildings designed to harmonize with the environment. The site boasts a THX-certified screening room with 298 seats and a large 49 by 21-foot screen, capable of projecting both film and digital formats. Additionally, there are two smaller 65-seat theaters for reviewing dailies, visual effects, and digital color grading. A massive, high-performance computer network, the largest in the entertainment industry, connects all these facilities, enabling artists worldwide to collaborate, exchange ideas, and develop technology within a seamless and simultaneous "virtual studio." LDAC also includes digital editing suites, artist training centers, and a comprehensive 34-camera image capture studio, featuring a 1,600-foot stage, a 3-D photography rig, and a 180-degree bluescreen.
Amenities available include a dining hall with seating for 300, offering stunning views of the Palace of Fine Arts and the Golden Gate Bridge, along with a fitness center and a daycare facility.
LDAC also prides itself on its environmentally conscious design, with 80 percent of the hospital's original materials, such as concrete, asphalt, and steel, being recycled and reused in the new complex. The buildings are designed to conserve energy and water, featuring energy-efficient elevators and raised floors that accommodate wiring and facilitate the intake of outside air. Operable windows maximize natural sunlight, thus minimizing energy consumption.
The park space was designed by celebrated architect Lawrence Halprin, who created a 1,500-car garage beneath the park's landscape to reduce surface traffic. Above this structure, a creek lined with large stones and a lagoon meander through the park, complemented by various trails, seating areas, gardens, additional open spaces with arches and other architectural features, and a prominent fountain adorned with a statue of a well-known little green fellow.
Furthermore, LDAC showcases numerous models, props, concept art, and matte paintings from various films in a museum-like setting, including the T-Rex from Jurassic Park. The lobby features a statue of Willis O'Brien, a pioneer in visual effects, alongside his creation King Kong.