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
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2022
Top 45 Engineering Architecture Firms for 2022
Jacobs, AECOM, WSP, and Burns & McDonnell top the rankings of the nation's largest engineering architecture (EA) firms for nonresidential buildings and multifamily buildings work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2022
Top 80 Engineering Firms for 2022
Kimley-Horn, Tetra Tech, Langan, and NV5 head the rankings of the nation's largest engineering firms for nonresidential buildings and multifamily buildings work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 21, 2022
Top 110 Architecture/Engineering Firms for 2022
Stantec, HDR, HOK, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture engineering (AE) firms for nonresidential and multifamily buildings work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 20, 2022
Top 180 Architecture Firms for 2022
Gensler, Perkins and Will, HKS, and Perkins Eastman top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture firms for nonresidential and multifamily buildings work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 19, 2022
2022 Giants 400 Report: Tracking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
Now 46 years running, Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report rankings the largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. This year a record 519 AEC firms participated in BD+C's Giants 400 report. The final report includes more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Daylighting | Aug 18, 2022
Lisa Heschong on 'Thermal and Visual Delight in Architecture'
Lisa Heschong, FIES, discusses her books, "Thermal Delight in Architecture" and "Visual Delight in Architecture," with BD+C's Rob Cassidy.
AEC Tech | Aug 8, 2022
The technology balancing act
As our world reopens from COVID isolation, we are entering back into undefined territory – a form of hybrid existence.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 4, 2022
Faculty housing: A powerful recruitment tool for universities
Recruitment is a growing issue for employers located in areas with a diminishing inventory of affordable housing.
University Buildings | Jul 11, 2022
Student life design impacts campus wellness
As interior designers, we have the opportunity and responsibility to help students achieve deeper levels of engagement in their learning, social involvement, and personal growth on college campuses.
University Buildings | Jul 6, 2022
Wenzhou-Kean University opens a campus building that bridges China’s past and future
After pandemic-related stops and starts, Wenzhou-Kean University’s Ge Hekai Hall has finally begun to see full occupancy.
