Project Update

Center Flooring

As part of the original conceptualization of the building, strong consideration was given to using the same pink marble flooring used in the home. After careful study, Michael Smith the interior designer, selected terrazzo as the most sustainable yet beautiful material. Ideal for the hot dry desert environment and common in mid-century California architecture, terrazzo is made by combining marble flakes, glass, and mother of pearl with colored cement. It is currently being poured and spread between a 3' x 6' pattern of zinc divider strips that level the material as it is troweled. Additional marble, glass and mother of pearl are then hand tossed onto the top layer. The terrazzo will then be rolled, allowed to set and cure, and finally ground, polished, and sealed.

Glass Replacement At Sunnylands

The windows and sliding doors at Sunnylands were installed circa 1965 before safety measures were developed for large sheets of plate glass. In order to prepare the estate residence for public tours, the Trustees will replace all existing standard plate glass with tempered or laminated safety glass. Replacement glass will be the same low-iron glass installed at the Center. Existing window and sliding door frames will be retained and retrofitted to accept the new glass. While there are many technical and safety challenges associated with the glass replacement at Sunnylands, all effort will be focused to retain the original modern detailing that was the hallmark of A. Quincy Jones' architecture.
 
Brent Eckerman, Associate
Frederick Fisher & Partners, Architects

Using Glass at the Center

Glass is an important component in the design of the Center, enabling the building's interior spaces to frame and capture the spectacular views of the mountains and desert gardens. The use of large expanses of glass has its challenges in the desert where the need to control the infiltration of heat and ultra-violet light is a primary concern. The insulated glass, comprised of two layers of ¼" glass separated by a ½" air gap, significantly reduces heat gain. The application of a low-emissivity coating eliminates up to 98% of harmful UV infiltration. The most noticeable and striking aspect to the glass is its color. Most typical exterior glass has a greenish tint caused by lead used in the manufacturing process. By changing this process, lead levels are reduced, eliminating the tint and creating glass that is "invisible" and dissolving the boundary between inside and outside.

John C. Berley

Associate, Frederick Fisher and Partners Architects

Tree Trimming

Sunnylands is in the midst of the largest tree management program ever implemented on the estate. While the trees have provided a privacy screen around the estate, they were in need of maintenance. The Tamarisk tees will now be more manageable and allow for additional sustainable planting to develop over time. Those passing by will also notice that the wall of eucalyptus trees that stretched along the south side of the property adjacent to Frank Sinatra has been removed. They were at the end of their life cycle and there was a high risk that they would fall into the public roadway. As Sunnylands develops its long-term tree program, new trees will be planted to replace the eucalyptus.

Pat Truchan
Director of Landscape and Agronomy, Sunnylands

Sunnylands Pink Walls

There has always been a great deal of curiosity about the pink Sunnylands walls. Originally a pink oleander hedge surrounded the estate. In the early 90s a blight killed the oleanders. Mrs. Annenberg decided to surround two sides of the property with a concrete block wall that matched the entrance pyramids, already painted pink to match the roof of the house. Mrs. Annenberg loved the pink tones that can be seen in the sunrises and sunsets in the desert as they reflect on the nearby mountains.
 
The experience of the new Center site adjacent to the Sunnylands estate is meant to evoke the iconic nature of the pink walls of the estate while appropriately differentiating the new from the historic.  Reflecting the existing pattern of 8x8 vertical scored concrete masonry, the new Center walls are integrally cast with a pink matrix and burnished to expose the mix of white, grey, and pink aggregate.
 
The Center is connected to the estate property by a new gate, flanked on either side by battered, pyramidal shaped walls meant to evoke the main gate of the estate off Frank Sinatra Drive. This will provide the visitor a similar experience of passing through the pink walls when entering the Sunnylands property from the Center.
 
John C. Berley

Associate, Frederick Fisher and Partners Architects
 
Linda Brooks
Sunnylands Facilities Manager