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
| Oct 17, 2011
Clery Act report reveals community colleges lacking integrated mass notification systems
“Detailed Analysis of U.S. College and University Annual Clery Act Reports” study now available.
| Oct 14, 2011
University of New Mexico Science & Math Learning Center attains LEED for Schools Gold
Van H. Gilbert architects enhances sustainability credentials.
| Oct 12, 2011
Bulley & Andrews celebrates 120 years of construction
The family-owned and operated general contractor attributes this significant milestone to the strong foundation built decades ago on honesty, integrity, and service in construction.
| Sep 30, 2011
Design your own floor program
Program allows users to choose from a variety of flooring and line accent colors to create unique floor designs to complement any athletic facility.
| Sep 23, 2011
Okanagan College sets sights on Living Buildings Challenge
The Living Building Challenge requires projects to meet a stringent list of qualifications, including net-zero energy and water consumption, and address critical environmental, social and economic factors.
| Sep 14, 2011
Research shows large gap in safety focus
82% of public, private and 2-year specialized colleges and universities believe they are not very effective at managing safe and secure openings or identities.
| Sep 7, 2011
KSS Architects wins AIA NJ design award
The project was one of three to win the award in the category of Architectural/Non-Residential.
| May 18, 2011
Major Trends in University Residence Halls
They’re not ‘dorms’ anymore. Today’s collegiate housing facilities are lively, state-of-the-art, and green—and a growing sector for Building Teams to explore.
| May 18, 2011
Raphael Viñoly’s serpentine-shaped building snakes up San Francisco hillside
The hillside location for the Ray and Dagmar Dolby Regeneration Medicine building at the University of California, San Francisco, presented a challenge to the Building Team of Raphael Viñoly, SmithGroup, DPR Construction, and Forell/Elsesser Engineers. The 660-foot-long serpentine-shaped building sits on a structural framework 40 to 70 feet off the ground to accommodate the hillside’s steep 60-degree slope.
