In Focus
John Ferraro Building Reflecting Pool Returns to its Former Splendor
By Albert Rodriguez
Standing high atop Bunker Hill, the LADWP John Ferraro Building (JFB) is at once embraced and surrounded by its distinctive and alluring water feature: the James Anthony Reflecting Pool. On any given day, you can see first-time visitors pause to take in its majestic fountains, its wide expanse and its unobstructed views of the Los Angeles skyline. It is the constant backdrop of many a wedding or quinceañera coming of age photo shoot and has been featured prominently in various Hollywood movie scenes. It has also been the site of many speeches, protests and gatherings related to LADWP and L.A. City business.
Yet for all the attention it garners, most employees see the reflecting pool as a point of pride or simply a peaceful place where one can take a leisurely stroll and enjoy some fresh air. Many also recognize it as a place where we have come together to celebrate our collective achievements and to mourn the losses of our fellow employees. The pool serves as both an architectural expression of the JFB and as a vital component of its heating and cooling system. By extension, it is also an inextricable part of the Department and a symbol of Los Angeles.
In recent years however, the pool had begun to experience a deterioration of its various systems, particularly its lining, which had begun to leak water into the subterranean floors of the building. That is why the loss of the pool was felt so deeply when the water was drained, the lights faded and its fountains ceased to roar in September of 2019.
Restoration of an Iconic Public Space
The reflecting pool was constructed in 1965, as part of what was then known as the General Office Building (GOB). The pool is 625 X 350 feet and can hold 1.2 million gallons of water. The fountains are able to pump and circulate 22,000 gallons of water per minute and the inner jets can spray water 30 feet high.
“Prior to the shutdown, we knew that we would have to conduct a full forensic investigation. We really had to take a good hard look at what it would take to refurbish and modernize it, while maintaining its original function and historical features.”
Tom DeSmet, Director of Facilities Services Division
Lining
Originally, the pool’s lining was primarily bitumastic (asphalt and filler composition), which functioned well for over 35 years. It was then replaced with a new, single-ply synthetic rubber membrane in 2010, but this proved to be problematic. Water began infiltrating through the seams of the rubber membrane sheets, which began to impact the parking lots and even the hallways inside the building. It was determined that a new system of liquid-applied seamless coating would be needed to solve this problem permanently.
Facilities Services reached out to a consultant for a new waterproof design. In order to prepare the original layer, the entire membrane was removed to expose the concrete deck and dry it out thoroughly. The pool’s circulation and surface debris collection system were also upgraded. Finally, a new organic elastomer (rubber-like solid with elastic properties) was applied directly to the pool’s concrete surface. This new material is now resistant to chemical, heat, UV rays and abrasions.
Plumbing Network
The original plumbing network consisted of aged metal pipe that was already exhibiting signs of corrosion. The upgraded system installed very thick, schedule-80 type PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic pipes. Modern connectors were also installed at every point where pipes penetrated vertically into the existing concrete slab to create an air and water tight seal. These seals apply secure, consistent pressure around the pipes using a hydrostatic sealing system of rubber. Installation proved to be much more efficient than conventional methods.
Fountains and Lighting
The intricate fountain system was also modernized with new valves and couplings, allowing the system and each fountain ring to be isolated. This new setup provides increased operational and maintenance accessibility. Now, the entire system doesn’t have to be shut down in order to fix one fountain. In addition, new LED (light emitting diode) lights were installed for each fountain ring with a programmable controller. A tablet application allows for programming at the podium level, allowing the operator to create more dazzling lighting scenes and make color adjustments via Wi-Fi.
JFB Cooling System
The water used in the reflecting pool will continue to be an important part of the building’s cooling system. It serves as an emergency heat sink, providing the ability for the building to cool the data center in an emergency situation. The piping and cooling system that serves this purpose is powered by the JFB standby power generator in case of a power outage. The reflecting pool is treated and filtered to swimming pool chemistry and water is continually recirculated.
“Ingeniously, the reflecting pool also acts as a sustainable cooling system by absorbing and dissipating excess warmth from the surrounding environment. The pool effectively cools the air through evaporation, creating a microclimate that benefits the building with enhanced energy efficiency while also harmoniously integrating architectural aesthetics with eco-friendly functionality.”
Jensen Wu, LADWP Senior Architect and reflecting pool project manager
The project design and construction were a successful collaboration between consultants, contractors and LADWP architects, engineers and tradespersons. The commissioning of the new waterproof liner and the fountain pumps systems began on October 14, 2023 and will continue into the spring of 2024.
With the return of the James Anthony Reflecting Pool, the JFB is once again complete; ready to again be the background for celebrations and memorials, tourists, architectural buffs and selfie enthusiasts, and of course, to be enjoyed by lone LADWP employees on a contemplative afternoon walk. The reflecting pool is an engineering marvel and also a thing of beauty, showing us where we’ve been, where we are and where we are going.
Project Team
- Tom DeSmet - Director of Facilities Services Division
- Dana Taylor - Resident Engineer
- Fares Botros - Construction Manager
- Jensen Wu - Project Manager
- Larry Madrid - LED Lighting Design
- Walter Veljacic - Facility Manager
In-House Support:
- Dean Elliott and Christopher Cadena - Corporate Health and Safety
- Alexander Condelli and Maria Depaz - Corporate Environmental Waste Water Compliance
- Henry Casarez - Facilities Planning and Design
- Eric Scheel, Larry Madrid, Beryl Taylor, Melizza Estur, Sandy Sahagun, Martin Rico, Julio Sandoval and Damon Dove - Facilities Services
- Edward McCormick, Larry Culver Ramon Flores Jr., Michael Nering, Michael Navarro, Andrew Lorton and James Sullivan - Power Construction & Maintenance
- Justin Lin, Jeremy Devore, Gwendolyn Weaver and Frank Gallego - Supply Chain Services
- Wilfredo Paz Bermudez, Jose Rubalcava, Bob Sun, Ali Sabouni, Lamont Lynch, Steven C. Cottone, Heather Yegiazaryan, Daniel Wei, Alejandro Becerra, Joshua Forbey, John Alvo, Duke Oliva and Jon Wenino - Water Engineering and Technical Services (WETS)
- Serge Haddad and Kaushal Parbhoo - Water Quality Division
Reflections in Time - Important Historical Milestones
Click any thumbnail below to see important historical milestones
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2011
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2015
