Argo Hall
Location:
Revelle College, UC San Diego
Services:
Visioning, Experiential Design, Placemaking, Signage
Client:
UC San Diego
Built in 1967, Argo Hall is at the heart of the Revelle College community on the UD San Diego campus. Like its namesake, Argo is about the journey, the quest we all face in life. For knowledge, repute, adventure, gain and love. This is not dissimilar from the phase of life that incoming undergraduate residents are facing. This building is a vessel, an ark of sorts, carrying residents through a crucial transition in their life. Transitioning many of them from a family-dependent life to an independent one. A launching pad for their new lives as adults.
Like its namesake, living at Argo Hall is about the journey, the quests we all face in life.
Argo, the residence hall, was named after a converted Navy rescue ship on lease to the UCSD Scripps Institution of Oceanography, which was commissioned in 1960 and used for a decade. We see Roger Revelle’s intent behind his naming the vessel after the Argo: “Revelle gave the speech at the ceremony of the commissioning and reminded everyone that the name was chosen from the Greek mythological vessel; Jason’s Argo sailed from Greece to Colchis in search of the golden fleece, this being the first oceanographic expedition.”
A legacy of exploration.
The pursuit of meaning.
One of the founding principles of Revelle College is a profound interest and dogged pursuit of knowledge. From ocean expeditions to groundbreaking research, the spirit of discovery and exploration is ever present. The opportunity that lies before the design team is how to create spaces and places that are lively, sociable, compelling and comfortable. The goal with the idea of a “meet up” is to combine both the mytholgy of the Argo with the real life quest for knowledge and self that the residents are facing. How can we bring meaning and a story, along with the sense of history that comes with it, to functional spaces like lounges, hallways, print rooms and a potential game space? By a mashup up big ideas and bold moves, beautiful colors, meaningful narrative and- above all- by creating a sense of community and fraternity that will serve all these students well on their journey at Revelle.
A shared quest for knowledge.
With a name like Argo, it is impossible to divorce this building from its mythologic legacy. So we should instead try to incorporate it into our narrative and embrace the timeless themes of humanity that it invokes. Students thrive on gaining knowledge and sharing their experiences and thoughts with other. It seems logical, therefore, to offer them retreats and spaces that while fun and lively, are not devoid of intellect.
To the same end, muralist and fine artist El Mac created a larger than life mural entitled “An Enduring Spell,” to inspire students as they journey into the unknown chapters in each of their lives. He beautifully details his process and goals for the mural here.
