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Project Update

Sunnylands is scheduled to open in November 2011. During the next two years, the new Annenberg Center at Sunnylands will be completed to offer visitors an introduction to the Sunnylands story. Surrounded by a nine-acre desert garden, the new Center will offer exhibitions and audio-visual materials explaining the architectural history of the site, its art collections, its important visitors, the philanthropic legacy of the Annenbergs, and the ways in which all new work embraces an ethic of environmental sensitivity. In addition to new construction is the restoration and renovation of the historic estate. Completed in 1966, the house, originally designed by A. Quincy Jones, requires upgrades to make it accessible to the public and seismically stable. The infrastructure of the grounds is being carefully evaluated to include 21st-century technology while maintaining the property's cultural landscape.

  Photo Credits
Left: Rendering by Jackson Kahn Golf Course Design
Center: Photograph by Graydon Wood, December 2006
Right: Rendering by Craig Shimahara Illustration for Frederick Fisher and Partners Architects
 
MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2010
Linda Brooks, John Vogley, and Avi Bet-Halakhmi reminisce about the
construction of the now iconic pink wall.


Valuable Local Assets
 
Fulfilling the mission of creating a museum at the historic estate that is Sunnylands has required the assistance of people with historical knowledge. On site, we have been fortunate to have Linda Brooks, facilities manager, who has worked at Sunnylands for over thirty years. Her detailed files, extensive photo library, and colorful stories have been invaluable. As more and more people become fans of this web site and the project updates, we hear from other local citizens who participated in the project in one way or another. Recently we received a letter from Avi Bet-Halakhmi who, along with John Vogley, was part of the team who designed and constructed the infamous pink wall. Avi and John visited Sunnylands to assist in further documentation of the building of the estate. Their recollections and reminiscences will be included in future project updates. Others with personal recollections about the estate are welcome to contact us at neynon@sunnylands.org.
MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2010
New Sunnylands book available for purchase


Sunnylands History

Sunnylands: Art and Architecture of the Annenberg Estate in Rancho Mirage, California tells the history of this celebrated home—how it came to be commissioned, details of its design and construction, acquisition of the extensive collections of art and objects, changes over the years—and comments by noted guests. Including beautiful photographs of the home, the grounds, and the art collection, this hard-cover, coffee-table book is available at various bookstores and via this web site: http://www.upenn.edu/pennpress/book/14687.html.

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2010
Time lapse equipment is mounted on the Annenberg Center site.


Capturing Time-lapse Images at the Center

Three solar-powered cameras are capturing time-lapse images of the work at the Annenberg Center. Progress is compressed into seconds of dramatic visuals including laying underground irrigation piping, creation of the labyrinth, pouring and finishing of the terrazzo floor, and final desert garden planting. Digital single lens reflex still cameras, controlled by a time-lapse intervalometer, take one exposure every two to four minutes. Time lapse speeds up the motion by extending the interval between exposures. Large marine batteries, charged by photovoltaic solar panels, power the systems. Cameras are moved at regular intervals to capture the changing scene. Footage is intended to be included in various aspects of the Center's future exhibitions. Recent footage can be viewed on the Garden page of this web site.