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Cannon Plaza Project

We are pleased to announce Oxy’s plan to transform Taylor Pool into Cannon Plaza, a multipurpose outdoor space for the Oxy community. 

With the completion of the De Mandel Aquatic Center, our swim, dive and water polo student-athletes now have a state-of-the-art facility. The renovated Cannon Plaza is a unique opportunity to create a beautiful, reimagined space for our students, staff, faculty, alumni and campus guests. Designed by architect Myron Hunt, creator of the original campus master plan and supervising architect for the College for almost 30 years, Taylor Pool has been a campus landmark since 1930. The long-awaited pool was the gift of Trustee J. Hartley Taylor, his wife Mary, and their daughter Mary Barbara Taylor, Class of 1929.

For this important new project, Oxy has partnered with Architectural Resources Group, an L.A.-based architecture firm focused on enhancing and strengthening historic buildings and spaces for adaptive use. Renovation plans call for the preservation of the colonnaded E.S. Field Building--named after the founding trustee and former board president--that defines the space, and filling and converting the pool into a courtyard and garden for outdoor gatherings. The 1960s facade on the front of the building will be removed and Hunt's original design restored.

In keeping with the College's long-standing practice of renovating and repurposing its historic buildings, the new Cannon Plaza is the latest campus beautification effort made possible by  the generous support of our donors to The Oxy Campaign For Good. These include, in addition to the De Mandel Aquatic Center, the renovation and redesign of Gilman Fountain and Sycamore Glen.

The transformation of Cannon Plaza is planned for completion in 2022 and was made possible by the lead gift of Trustee and Campaign Co-chair Anne Wilson Cannon ’74 as well as the generosity of multiple donors. We are grateful for their support. An anonymous donor has recently called upon the Oxy community to join together for this significant effort to honor this piece of Oxy’s history. For more information please contact Charlie Cardillo at ccardillo@oxy.edu.

Other Completed Outdoor Projects

De Mandel Aquatics Center pool
De Mandel Aquatics Center

The De Mandel Aquatics Center is designed to foster the highest level of competition at Oxy.

Gilman Fountain on Oxy's campus
Gilman Fountain

The redesigned plaza surrounding the Lucille Gilman Fountain at the main entrance to campus features a new fountain in a new setting designed by VAI Van Atta Associates of Santa Barbara.

Sycamore Glen
Sycamore Glen

The new and improved Sycamore Glen, adjacent to the new Anderson Center for Environmental Sciences.