Background Information
Caltech, The California Institute of Technology, is a private research university located in Pasadena, California. It is one of the most prestigious postsecondary institutions in the world and often considered to be one of the top schools in the United States. Despite its status as one of the preeminent research institutions, Caltech enjoys less recognition for its architecture than other prestigious colleges; this is because Caltech has no architecture program.
Does Caltech Have Architecture?
Despite the lack of a formal architecture program, Caltech does have architecture – sufficient enough to be visually recognizable throughout Pasadena and the Southern California area. Its most iconic and recognizable building is the Throop Memorial Hall, a Neoclassical building that has stood on the Caltech campus since 1922. The Throop Hall is often noted for its purple-and-cream stained glass dome and is home to many lectures and classes.
The university itself has a variety of styles and designs, including buildings and structures that span from the classical to the modern. These structures are built through the Caltech Architectural Design office and are a combination of original buildings and modifications of existing ones.
While Caltech hasn’t had an architecture program, it does have a number of renovation projects, collaborations with local architects, and special interest design studies created for campus spaces. The design and renovation of campus buildings has always been a priority for Caltech, both for the use and aesthetics of existing structures and for the design of new buildings.
Influences on Design
The combination of Caltech’s reputation for scientific excellence and the aesthetic demands of a high caliber university has had a great influence on the architecture. There is a deep appreciation for a contemporary style combined with a sense of timelessness, which is fully exemplified in Caltech’s buildings, both old and new.
The combination also creates an effort to combine the aesthetics of historical styles with modern designs. Large neoclassical structures like the Throop Hall mix with the angular, modern edifices of Building 34, the home of the Computer Science and Mathematics departments.
The project manager of the institute’s Building Design Office, Gordon Newman, told the Pasadena Weekly that “one of the main goals of Caltech’s architectural design is to show both functionality and aesthetic in the structures built for the campus”.
Local Collaborations
Caltech’s architecture isn’t solely the product of the school’s design office; the campus features a multitude of local architect collaborations that add a unique flavor to the university. Frank Gehry, a native of the Pasadena area, created the masterpiece known as the Frank Gehry Residence Hall, a unique structure built with the organization’s sensibility for blending the classic and the modern. A newer addition to the line up of Gehry’s work at Caltech is Ramo Hall, a fusion of steel and glass that houses the Institute’s Psychological services center.
Mount Wilson Observatory, a research center located north of Los Angeles, has partnered with the university in a number of design collaborations; this has led to the creation of a unified style in the observatory buildings.
Unique Challenges
Caltech’s design group is frequently challenged to create innovative structures that still meet the demands of a first-class architectural design. These radical projects often involve adaptive reuse and retrofitting of existing structures to improve their appearance and functionality. The design team has ben applauded for their efforts in completely transforming the Beckman Auditorium, the largest multi-use building on campus, which also serves as the home for the Institute’s Institute for Quantum Information and Matter.
The specific geographic location of the campus also poses unique challenges for the design office. For instance, the Institute takes special care when constructing buildings near the seismic fault line that intersects Pasadena. This has included the use of special engineering strategies to ensure the sustainability of a building, like the robust steel sphere attached to the gates of CALTECH’s main entrance.
Design Awards
The designs and renovations created by Caltech’s design office have been garnering recognition from the community in the form of various awards. These include awards from the American Institute of Architects and The Pasadena Society of Architects.
At the local level, the Institute has also been praised for the adaptive reuse of the Gamble House, an iconic nature of Craftsman-style architecture designed in 1909. The Gamble House was acquired by the Institute in 1980, and was renovated and restored to its original glory. After two years of work, the Gamble House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.
Influence Beyond Pasadena
Beyond Pasadena, Caltech’s influence in architecture can be found in many countries around the world. Their designs can be seen in the UK, France, China, Australia, Italy, and Mexico, amongothers.
Caltech’s influence is also present in the architecture of its current students and alumni. Alumni of the university have gone on to become leading architects and Caltech has played an important role in their development. This includes world-renowned architect Thom Mayne, recipient of the prestigious Pritzker Prize and Distinguished Alumni Award of Caltech; Robert Mangurian, a two-time recipient of the AIA Design Award; and Greg Lynn, one of the leading figures in the design world.
Interior Design
Interior design is an important aspect of the Institute’s architectural design. Caltech designs its spaces to create a versatile environment for a range of disciplines and activities. This includes designing spaces to serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, as well as easy navigation for visitors.
Caltech takes great pride in its modern designs. The library serves as a case in point, mixing the classic and modern elements of the windows, seating, and lighting in the area to create a timeless, inviting space for students to study.
The Role of Technology
The impact of technology on Caltech’s architectural design has been enormous. The use of 3D printing, robotics, and computer-driven designs has allowed the university to create intricate and precise designs that would have been impossible in the past.
For instance, the Haystack Observatory building, designed by renown architect Thom Mayne, was built with the help of robotic manipulation and 3D printing. Rober Mangurian’s Hutchison Observation Tower was created with the assistance of advanced computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Computer-driven design programs have allowed Caltech’s design team to use their skills to create a greater number of larger, more complex projects with a greater level of efficiency.
Intelligent Design
Caltech has adapted to the increasingly modern world of architecture, creating projects that incorporate technology, design, and sustainability. This includes intelligence design in the areas of geothermal energy, resource maintenance, and water usage.
The university also makes use of renewable energy sources, such as solar energy. The Frances Arnold Engineering and Compute Center was designed to take full advantage of the available solar energy, making it one of the most sustainable structures on campus.
The Institute continues to work on innovative ways to make the campus structures more environmentally friendly. This includes the use of porous paving, recycling materials, and green walls. The recycled materials not only reduce waste but also add character to the buildings.
Design in Practice
Caltech designs and builds practical, ethical, and aesthetically pleasing structures. Their buildings are designed to create a timeless yet modern aesthetic that stands out from the crowd. This has allowed them to be a leader in the world of architecture and their influence is evident both locally and around the world.
Caltech’s Architecture Department takes a special pride in their work, melding classic and modern designs to complement the unique nature of the Institute. While Caltech may lack a formal architecture program, the university undoubtedly has a distinguished tradition of architectural excellence.
