United States

ABOUT

Occidental College in Los Angeles, California, was founded in 1887 and is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges on the West Coast of the U.S. In keeping with the college’s practice of renovating and repurposing its historic buildings, the latest venture was to upgrade the Cannon Plaza, preserving the colonnaded E.S. Field Building designed by Myron Hunt, and converting what was once Taylor Pool into a courtyard and garden.

Unveiling the Vision

As the restoration project took shape with leadership from Occidental College Facilities Management, Architectural Resources Group (ARG) designed the rehabilitation project, with Tovey/Shultz Construction Inc. as the general contractor, and Watchdog serving as the construction manager. The team set out to create a simple yet refined space that would evoke the ambiance of a secret and intimate garden while accommodating a multitude of events, both day and night.

From its inception, the project aspired to weave an immersive experience for all who set foot on the plaza. Collaborating closely with the college president and the facilities team, ARG envisioned a design that transcended the ordinary. The plaza’s sprawling expanse of 5,900 square feet and the adjacent covered pavilion of 965 square feet presented a blank canvas for creativity.

The landscape architect curated a fragrant, contemplative plant palette that lends the plaza a calm, garden-like feel. Complementing the greenery, the lighting designer selected period-appropriate pendants along with festoon and string lights to give the space a warm glow as evening arrives. The design also includes a retractable shade structure for sunny days, teak patio furniture, and a built-in speaker system, with the goal of accommodating up to 250 guests. 

Overcoming the Challenges 

As with any ambitious project, the team encountered its share of challenges. A signature feature of the pavilion—a concealed, motorized 100-foot projection screen—presented a unique obstacle. The team needed a solution that would provide shade and protect against the elements without obstructing sightlines to the screen.

A full-length retractable canopy spanning the courtyard from building to building became essential. Infinity Canopy recommended Serge Ferrari Group’s Soltis 86 fabric for its durability and performance. The material was put to the test, required to unfurl smoothly across a 65-foot span while still allowing the canopy drapes to be drawn to the opposite side of the pavilion.

The final solution combined engineering finesse with construction-management expertise. The canopy was divided into three equal sections, each nearly 10 feet wide, enabling easy manual operation. Each section was secured with four anchors—two anchored to the adjacent building and two anchored to the pavilion’s steel posts and crossbeam. Infinity Canopy’s design incorporated three independent pulley systems to open and close the sections efficiently. Festoon lighting, strung through the space between the sails, added warmth and atmosphere under the night sky.