Ignatius Commons Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles CA
The 4,500 square foot administration building serves as the gateway to the Jesuit community and establishes a public identity for them on campus. The building's design incorporates historic references from other buildings on campus as well as symbols of the Jesuit Order. The integration and abstraction of these elements help create a bridge between the past and the future and give the building a contemporary, timeless quality.
Sited carefully in amongst an existing oak grove, the new administration building projects a sense of permanence and of being a quiet enclave. Its plan is governed by the layout of the oak trees and maintaining a safe distance from them without affecting their sensitive root system. The facilities include numerous offices, parlors, a conference room and an oratory. The skylit octagonal shaped oratory is connected to the main building by a glazed cloister, nestled in the trees. The play of light and shadow from the overhanging trees animate the spaces. The design is pure and simple, reflecting St. Ignatius' concept of the Jesuit Order.