Robert Redford Conservancy

Vision

Located on 12 acres just north of the main campus of Pitzer College, a 1931 infirmary sat vacant for 40 years. Pitzer College’s commitment to sustainability is evident throughout its campus. With a remarkable record of supporting environmental causes within the community, the College wanted to expound on its mission to promote social and environmental awareness with an adaptive reuse plan for the uninhabited infirmary.

Our renovation approach reused 90% of the original structural components and envelope materials such as terracotta roof tiles, copper flashings, and gutters. Wood and steel windows with high historic value were repaired and reconditioned. Over 33% of new materials used were sourced and manufactured within a 500-mile radius of the site and over 76% of new wood used is FSC-certified. Original interior terracotta and plaster walls were either reinforced and repaired or crushed and reused as paving base material. Our landscaping plan preserved 72 mature trees on the site. Groundcover plantings were grown from native plant cuttings, restoring 10.8 acres of habitat. The Robert Redford Conservancy now contains one of the largest remaining habitats of Costal Safe Scrub – a plant that was once prominent throughout Southern California.