Design and Construction of a Protective Shelter and Public Viewing Platform
 

The contemporary design of the mural's protective shelter—as well as the viewing platform—takes into consideration the historic streetscape within which the mural is located. The colors and textures of the shelter reference the historic architecture of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. The engineering challenges included the need to support the structure independently of the historic Italian Hall on which the mural is painted and to span the archeologically significant Zanja Madre (Mother Ditch), which runs across a corner of the building's basement below the mural. The Zanja Madre was the first aqueduct built when the pueblo of Los Angeles was established in the late eighteenth century.

The shelter will consist of a steel framed canopy that projects out sufficiently to protect the mural from the intense southern California sun and occasional rain. Free standing, angled side panels on both the Main Street and Olvera Street sides will provide additional protection. Together, the shelter and panels will help protect the mural from sun, wind, rain, birds, and air pollution.

In addition, a scrim or curtain will be installed close to the mural wall. This curtain—which can be lowered to cover the mural completely when there is no need for public viewing—will provide an additional layer of protection.

The viewing platform will be reached both by elevator and stairs from the first floor of the Sepulveda House, giving public access to the mural for the first time since 1932.

Pugh + Scarpa, , an architectural and engineering firm in Santa Monica, California, designed the shelter and platform.

Last updated: May 2010