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In 1914, Myron Hunt designed a music hall for Pomona College. Considered by many as one of his smaller-scale architectural masterpieces, the music hall served the college well but eventually went from a top performance venue to historic nuisance on the performance circuit. However, in the mid 90’s, the proposed installation of a quality tracker pipe organ provided the opportunity to bring the historic structure up to modern recording standards while accommodating current and future programmatic needs. Most importantly, the opportunity arose to restore several of the hall’s original key features to their past glory.
Acoustical analysis of the hall identified its existing strengths and weaknesses. The hall’s performance function ranged from full orchestra and organ concerts to a single soloist recital, therefore this analysis proved invaluable and drove much of the program development for the interior of the hall itself. The new organ is a very delicate instrument that takes two people working full time for six to eight months to ‘voice’, or tune. Even excessive dust or slight changes in temperature will alter the organ’s acoustic properties. This led to careful planning of the entirely new electrical and mechanical systems. The incredible performance potential of the organ—it was featured on the cover of an organ builder trade magazine—meant that a new theatrical lighting system and professional audio recording system were also in order.
The solution was three-fold.
First, the acoustic properties of the hall were enhanced. The hall’s mass and stiffness were increased to improve the organ’s low frequency response. This was done without obvious change to the interior by adding an additional layer of hardwood flooring under the pews, reinforcement and restoration of the original pews, the addition of 1" thick laminated glass lites in front of the original large clerestory windows, and the stiffening of the wood ceiling by attaching two 4" layers of lightweight honeycombed panels to the attic floor. In order to prevent standing echoes from forming, slightly curved plaster ‘pillows’ along the back wall of the balcony and radiused hardwood panels placed in the ceiling coffers above the stage and within the original ground floor wall paneling were installed to help diffuse the sound throughout the hall.
Second, the hall’s historic character was renewed. Most significantly, the hall’s gorgeous redwood ceiling with artfully stenciled cartouches was immaculately restored and conserved over a period of several months. Additionally, the main stage was restored and reinforced. The original horizontal maple wall paneling above the balcony pews was reconstructed from old pictures and drawings. Interior hallways—tarnished by t-bar ceilings and fire sprinkler piping in previous remodels—were carefully reworked in the spirit of the original design to hide all of the mechanical system ductwork and fire system equipment. New lighting was discreetly hidden and indirect in the hallways, and where visible, fixtures were chosen to enhance the historic character of the hall. Two large clerestory windows, covered up in previous remodels, were re-exposed and renovated. Finally, the exterior of the hall was meticulously cleaned and repainted and vegetation was replanted to accent the hall as it was originally intended.
Third, new programmatic needs were met. Small additions to each side of the building expand the offstage wing areas to accommodate the following: orchestral instruments and two grand pianos, an accessible toilet room on the lobby level, and a three-stop elevator allowing disabled access and grand piano transport to the stage from the lobby and basement levels. The restoration of the two large clerestory windows above both sides of the stage returned the hall to its original essence and provided the opportunity to blend the old and new together via new ‘choir balconies’ on each side of the stage. The green room and recording room were reworked and universal access was addressed throughout.
In total, the improvements made from the restorations have allowed the original masterpiece by Myron Hunt to once again be considered a premier recording and performance venue in Southern California. The construction budget for this project was approximately $4.2 million, and an additional $1.2 million for the new organ. The building is approximately 15,950 sq. ft.
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