The Venturi Pergola – La Jolla Historical Society

Type: Structural – Preservation

Project Partners: Island Architects • Patton Fine Homes • La Jolla Historical Society • Matt Mangano

Award: SEAOSD Community Award

Preserving Legacy Through Structure

The Venturi Pergola project stands as a celebration of both architectural history and meaningful community engagement. Originally designed by renowned postmodernist architect Robert Venturi as a tribute to the La Jolla Women’s Club, the pergola had long stood unused and overlooked. That changed when the La Jolla Historical Society initiated a plan to restore the structure and give it a new life as the centerpiece of a reimagined public park.

MDEP was honored to provide the structural expertise required to ensure the pergola could safely transition from symbolic artifact to functional community landmark.

Engineering a Revival

This wasn’t just a relocation—it was a preservation of cultural memory. MDEP’s work began with a thorough structural assessment of the aging pergola, followed by the design of a new reinforced concrete foundation to support the cantilevered column system in its new home.

Our team collaborated closely with architects, fabricators, and contractors to:

  • Design and engineer a safe and lasting foundation for the pergola in a new location
  • Preserve the structural form and visual integrity of the original design
  • Coordinate fabrication of a new steel bench and interpretive sign to complete the park experience
  • Ensure the surrounding cobblestone retaining walls and new concrete stairway harmonized with the historic aesthetic

This project demanded technical rigor, careful sensitivity to design heritage, and seamless collaboration with landscape architects, geotechnical engineers, and cultural stakeholders.

Where History Meets Public Space

Today, the northwest corner of the La Jolla Historical Society campus has been transformed into a peaceful public garden—a place where art, architecture, and community converge. Visitors can now sit beneath the Venturi Pergola, read its story, and connect with La Jolla’s architectural lineage in a space built to last.

The project received the SEAOSD Community Award, honoring its successful fusion of structural innovation and cultural preservation. It’s a proud example of how MDEP helps bring the past into the present—safely, sustainably, and beautifully.