Bringing Student Caretakers Back to Poly Canyon
By Caroline Roistacher
Click on the image above to view the Poly Canyon video.
Poly Canyon epitomizes Cal Poly's philosophy: Learn by Doing. Originating from the vision of George Hasslein, the first dean of the CAED, the hilly terrain was designated as a showcase for the construction of large-scale experimental structures. Over the years, many generations of students have engaged in hands-on learning, with some of the student-built structures tracing back to the 1960s.
These distinctive creations distinguish Cal Poly from any other university. Structures such as Tensile Structure, Bridge House and Geodesic Dome stand as tangible testaments to students' creativity, innovation and practical skills. Each structure serves as a physical embodiment of the Learn by Doing ethos and embodies the spirit of experimentation and exploration that defines the university's academic culture.
In previous years, the CAED has had two to four students living at Poly Canyon, providing upkeep and maintenance in exchange for housing and a meal plan. Through this agreement, Poly Canyon remained clean and ready for use in competitions or departmental studios.
The CAED aims to reinstate this program to maintain Poly Canyon's upkeep and readiness, thereby fostering a vibrant and conducive environment for student activities, competitions, and studio work. Additionally, reviving this program contributes to building a stronger sense of community and stewardship among our students within the CAED.
Cal Poly alumnus Robert Purdy worked on his senior project, the Techite Bridge, in Poly Canyon in the early 1970s. Purdy's friend Glen Jackson was the first resident of Poly Canyon.
Purdy visited Cal Poly this past spring and was disheartened to see the amount of vandalism in Poly Canyon.
"When we were there, and again, this is 50 years ago, Poly Canyon was a source of pride for the whole school of architecture," Purdy said. "Everybody that came to visit Cal Poly went up to the Canyon and walked through all the structures. I think Glen living there helped preserve it. So, I think having somebody living there will help with reducing the amount of vandalism that's going on right now."
Purdy was greatly impacted by his work in the Canyon, which involved extensive coordination and communication with diverse groups of people, from the senior project team to external stakeholders. He has offered to sponsor repairs and upkeep of the Techite Bridge to restore it to its original condition.
"My daughter went to Cal Poly, so she went up there and took a sense of pride in that her father had built this bridge," Purdy said. "My granddaughter 一 I'm trying to get into Cal Poly and do the same thing. It's a legacy. I take a lot of pride in that bridge and in the whole Canyon itself. Glen and I, and a lot of other students, put in a lot of hard weekends and nights. It was a lot of fun and it really taught us the whole concept of Learn by Doing in a nutshell."
Purdy also highlighted the importance of the caretaker program and its role in preserving the Canyon.
"I think the purpose of the caretaker program is to preserve what's there and also provide an environment where our current students can express themselves and build things," Purdy said. "You know, monuments to the ingenuity of the students. Donations and people who helped will be recognized, and they too will join in the legacy of the Canyon. It's a really special place and it's really worth preserving and perpetuating."
The CAED’s goal is to create a living opportunity for students while implementing sustainable off-grid energy solutions, including solar power and eco-friendly water and plumbing systems. The existing home in the area requires revitalization, utilizing available water and plumbing sources as a starting point for our sustainable upgrades.
To support the revitalization of Poly Canyon’s caretaker program, please consider donating by clicking Give Now.
