Once the renovation is complete the building will provide new campus headquarters for Caltech’s Condensed Matter Group, as well as updated office and research space for the Mathematics Department. To strike a balance between history, future use and environmental sustainability, the firm opted to restore and reuse existing 1930’s era windows and doors rather than replace them. Linoleum flooring and composite tiles are being removed to restore the original terra-cotta pavers. All incandescent lighting is being replaced with energy saving fluorescent fixtures and public corridors and office spaces are being refreshed with all new finishes.
The renovation continues outdoors to a patio adjacent to a meeting room where Parallax Associates has designed an inviting space to promote community. Lack of cover prevented the existing patio area from being used on hot summer days, but a new, broad sunshade will allow it to be enjoyed throughout much of the year. In addition a seven-foot tall glass screen is being installed around the perimeter of this space to reduce outside noise and give the university’s technically minded faculty and students a quiet place for contemplation and enjoyment of the outdoors.
“Construction is moving along briskly,” says Architect Craig Jameson of Parallax Associates. “The Condensed Matter Group and Mathematics Department will find that their new home has a traditional design aesthetic with modern and technologically advanced functionality.”
Several meeting rooms for professors and students—called “interaction spaces”—within the building have been designed with flexible lighting systems, white boards, projection screens and data ports for personal computers to accommodate a variety of teaching and learning formats. Built-ins for periodicals and books will add to the already rich architectural character of the building. A generous amount of counter space and food preparation facilities are being installed to make these spaces multifunctional and comfortable for seminars, video presentations, theoretical discussions as well as relaxation.
In addition to assisting with the design of spaces and finishes, Parallax provided the engineering coordination for all new air conditioning and electrical systems upgrades. This is the fourth project that Parallax Associates has worked on in partnership with Caltech. Previous projects include renovations at Keck, Moore and Firestone Labs, and a complete renovation of Noyes Lecture Hall.