Commissioned to fully restore and modernize Caltech’s South Houses, the design for the residence halls incorporates contemporary features while preserving the buildings’ historic fabric. The Institute’s undergraduate houses consist of four buildings that were constructed in 1931 from the plans of Gordon B. Kaufmann, the famed designer of the Hoover Dam and the Los Angeles Times building. Not unlike fraternities and sororities, house members and incoming freshman practice the long-held tradition of “choosing each other,” going through a form of rush. This history and sense of culture required a tailored planning and design process that held true to conventions yet introduced new amenities. To ensure that institutional memory would inform the design, we hosted a number of student gatherings as well as meetings with alumni, administrative representatives, student affairs committees, and multiple other stakeholders. The result was heralded as a success by all involved.

This project was restored and designed by Pfeiffer prior to joining Perkins Eastman.