Pritzker Hall, originally designed in 1967 by Paul Revere Williams as Franz Hall Psychology Tower, has recently completed a modernization project on the UCLA campus. The 125,000-sf building is a 100-foot cube that comprises eight above-ground floors and three subterranean ones. It houses research laboratories, dry laboratories, classrooms, and faculty offices.
The updates to the building improve the seismic stability and energy efficiency. Seismic updates often involve adding external bracing via plates and posts. CO Architects and UCLA decided to pursue less-prominent alternatives. The team worked with UCLA’s Engineering Department to validate viscous dampers. Functioning as shock absorbers, 40 purpose-built dampers were strategically added to Pritzker Hall’s six above-ground floors.
The modernization project also featured interior updates to accommodate current curriculum standards. The building’s original single-story lobby was opened to double height to create informal study space. A new media wall in the lobby displays Psychology Department research and events. LED lighting was added throughout. Many of the building’s original architectural intentions were retained, including the second floor’s exposed structural waffle slab. Existing damaged marble walls and terrazzo flooring were covered with new compatible materials.
The project was recently awarded a 2021 WUF Design Award in the Public/Institutional category by the Westside Urban Forum. In addition to CO Architects, the build team also included Rudolph and Sletten (general contractor, construction manager at risk), Affiliated Engineers (MEP engineer), KPFF (civil and structural engineer), Taylor Devices (viscous dampers), Studio-MLA (landscape architecture), KGM Architectural Lighting (lighting), Waveguide (acoustical), SKA (environmental graphics), and Page & Turnbull (historic consultant).
Related Stories
University Buildings | Apr 26, 2017
UMass Amherst is home to America’s first CLT academic building
The building brings the architecture, landscape architecture, and building technology departments under one roof.
Sponsored | Ceilings | Apr 17, 2017
University of Toronto Scarborough Campus building meets aesthetic, performance and sustainability goals with Rockfon ceiling systems
The University of Toronto’s $52.5 million, 126,788-square-foot Environmental Science & Chemistry Building is the newest addition to the Scarborough campus in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Products and Materials | Mar 28, 2017
Mondopads highlight Portland State University’s new Decision Theater
A total of seven InFocus Mondopads were used in the room to accommodate large group work and individual study.
University Buildings | Mar 14, 2017
Fresh off NCAA national title, Clemson opens plush football operations complex
The 142,500-sf facility, which opened just three weeks after Clemson’s national championship win over the University of Alabama, adjoins the indoor practice facility and outdoor practice fields, consolidating football operations into one complex.
University Buildings | Mar 8, 2017
Massive mixed-use residential village on USC’s Los Angeles campus on schedule to open this fall
Prefabrication of the six buildings’ walls reduced construction time by a year.
School Construction | Feb 26, 2017
A new survey finds education construction activity going strong this year
Surveys of school districts and colleges, though, raise questions about financing for future projects.
University Buildings | Jan 10, 2017
UMass Amherst’s Isenberg School of Business to receive modern, twisted addition from BIG
The 70,000-sf building was developed in collaboration with Boston-based Goody Clancy.
University Buildings | Jan 9, 2017
Massive student housing project in Texas will be ready this Fall
Developers hope the early opening of some units sets the tone for the community and future rentals.
University Buildings | Dec 5, 2016
University of Chicago to open new education center in Hong Kong
The new facility will be named for University Trustee, Francis Yuen, and his wife Rose Wai Man Lee Yuen.
University Buildings | Nov 18, 2016
Stephen F. Austin State University’s new STEM building breaks ground
Kirksey Architecture designed the building that ‘will serve as a landmark for SFA.’
