Architectural Resources Group

05/28/2026

The Pasadena Conservatory of Music recently won a Contextual Infill Award! The award recognizes excellence in new construction that celebrates architectural heritage while allowing institutions to grow and adapt to community needs.

The new two-story Learning Center contains the first educational facilities purpose-built for PCM and tailored to provide optimal acoustics. The custom angled wood ceiling and benches in the amphitheater provide a harmonious outdoor space for the community to gather under the sky and enjoy the music that brings them together.

Congratulations to the team that helped bring this project to fruition!

Landscape Architect: EPT Design
Contractor: Morley Builders
Structural Engineer: Structural Focus
Mechanical/Electrical Engineer: Affiliated Engineers, Inc.
Security/Low Voltage: Plannet
Theatrical/Lighting: Apiero
Acoustical Engineer: Salter
Civil Engineer: KPFF Los Angeles
Code Compliance: Jensen Hughes
Geotechnical Engineer: ENGEO
Specifications: Stansen
Hardware: Finish Hardware Technology
Specialty Contractor: KC Restoration Co, Inc

05/20/2026

Last week, ARG’s Portland office hosted a company-wide retreat that brought our colleagues together to network, bond, and explore projects throughout the Pacific Northwest. Our staff had fun sharing ideas while visiting sites many had only heard about.

We toured ARG projects such as the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland City Hall, Oregon State Capitol, and Fort Vancouver. The final day concluded with a block-printing activity where employees crafted personalized tote bags and cards. Next retreat: San Francisco!

05/07/2026

Last week, ARG’s Jon Rusch attended “The Values-Based Conservation Process” workshop to support the University of Oregon’s McKenzie Hall Preservation Plan. The project received a Conserving Black Modernism grant from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Getty Conservation Institute hosted the workshop and provided funding for the grant program. The workshop agenda included a site visit to Carson City Hall, where ARG’s Evanne St. Charles presented findings from the Historic Structure Report that was successfully completed in 2024 with funding from the same program.

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04/30/2026

We are pleased to announce that ARG has won five California Preservation Foundation Awards! The awards highlight the best in historic preservation with ARG being recognized for our work on the Los Angeles Union Station South Patio, the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre, the UC Berkeley Haas Entrepreneurship Hub, the Los Angeles Wildfire Rapid-Response Heritage Documentation, and the Gregory Bateson Building.

The awards take place next Friday, May 8th in Riverside, CA. More info below!
https://californiapreservation.org/programs/awards/

04/28/2026

Our team had a great tour of ARG’s latest adaptive reuse project in Old Town Pasadena. The 1904 livery building is soon to become a production studio and creative office space. We loved sharing a sneak peek with colleagues and friends – and a happy hour afterward!

04/20/2026

"When the museum recently redesigned its campus — a project by Architectural Resources Group… and the landscape architects SWA Group — 'improving curb appeal while improving security on the site,' as [SVP of Operations and Strategy Leslie] Denk put it, became one of the central challenges."

Tap the link below to read how the Museum's recent exterior improvement project brought important upgrades to the campus while also increasing security measures in a special feature by The New York Times.

The bold robbery at the Louvre shocked the world, but all museums face the challenge of protecting art and historical treasures.

04/16/2026

The Thompson Elk Fountain returns!

This past Sunday, Portlanders celebrated the newly restored statue and fountain – a void in the city that has been missing since 2020. ARG helped lead the restoration effort with the Portland Parks Foundation, Portland Water Bureau and the City of Portland. Hundreds of people gathered for the statue’s official return at this homecoming event for the elk, bringing back this key part of the community.

A special thank you to the entire team!
Holmes US, Säzän Group Inc., DCW Cost & Construction Management, Emerio Design, Cedar Mill Construction Co, Pioneer Waterproofing, Azure Services

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04/07/2026

In Portland, Oregon, the restoration of the Thompson Elk Fountain is nearly complete. ARG is honored to have led the restoration of this beloved civic symbol that was originally constructed in 1900 to commemorate the elk that once lived in the area.

Designed by sculptor Roland Hinton Perry, the bronze sculpture is perched above a pedestal of Vermont Barre granite and is surrounded by an octagonal water basin originally designed by Portland based architect H.G. Wright. Former Oregon State Senator and Portland Mayor David P. Thompson donated the fountain as a monument to the Oregon Humane Society, which he cofounded and chaired. The sculpture and fountain were removed and salvaged in the summer of 2020 after fires were lit in the basin.

A new fountain slab was constructed, existing stone units reinstalled, and missing or severely damaged units were replaced in granite to match the original. The bronze sculpture of the elk has been cleaned and waxed.

A homecoming event for the return of the fountain is scheduled for this upcoming Sunday afternoon, April 12th. More info at the link below.
https://www.portlandpf.org/elkhomecoming

03/31/2026

Happy Women’s History month!

ARG is honored to be participating in the Los Angeles Women’s Landmarks program, a joint effort between the Los Angeles Conservancy and National Trust for Historic Preservation to address the significant underrepresentation of women and their contributions to Los Angeles’s history through expanding the historical narrative to include diverse women’s stories. (Of the over 1,300 local historic landmarks in LA, only about 2% represent women’s history)

As part of this initiative, ARG and Historic Resources Group are amending several existing local Historic-Cultural Monument nominations to add women’s contributions to the history and significance of each property.

We’re excited to add details about the amazing women linked to these properties. Stay tuned for updates on each property in the coming months!

Photo 1: Aline Barnsdall and Hollyhock House and gardens. Photo Credit - Los Angeles Public Library.
Photo 2: Aline Barnsdall at Schindler Terrace. Photo Credit – Los Angeles Public Library.
Photo 3: Essie Binkley West outside of Sunshine Mission, 2600 S. Hoover Boulevard. Photo Credit - UCLA Library.
Photo 4: Thanksgiving Dinner at Sunshine Mission. Photo Credit – USC Library.

03/26/2026

19th International Docomomo Conference recap!

Last week was an inspiring gathering of architects, historians, and advocates dedicated to preserving the legacy of modern architecture. From tours to thought-provoking discussions and shared experiences, this conference was a reminder that modern heritage is not just about buildings, but about the cultural narratives they carry. Grateful for the conversations, connections, and ideas that will continue to shape the future of preservation.