ARCH TOUR FEST: PRITZKER HALL MODERNIZATION

Photo Credit: Kim Rodgers

Arch Tour Fest: Pritzker Hall Modernization – 2:30

Additional information regarding the tour and check-in process will be emailed directly to registrants 24 hours before the event.

Tour Organizer:

Phillip White, AIA – Associate Principal, CO Architects

Designed in 1967 by legendary black architect Paul Revere Williams, FAIA, the Psychology Tower (now Pritzker Hall) is one of the most iconic buildings on the UCLA campus. The building is an almost perfect 100’x100’x100’ cube with a load bearing exterior structural concrete grille and recessed double height arcade fronting UCLA’s beloved inverted fountain. CO Architects (with KPFF Consulting Engineers) led the design for the seismic strengthening and modernization of the building (completed in 2021). The design includes upgrades to the structural systems to meet current seismic requirements. The design team worked closely with UCLA’s engineering department to evaluate and determine the ultimate seismic resistance of the existing building. This analysis allowed the design team to minimize the impact to the architectural character and preserve integrity of William’s mid-century design. The structural solution provides slender viscous dampers which act as building “shock absorbers” at the double-height exterior arcade and at selected locations inside the building. The renovation creates dynamic new spaces for learning and discovery as the upgraded home for the psychology department. The renovation encompasses eight floors of offices, flexible instructional spaces, laboratories, a refreshed entry lobby and facade, a new accessible entry and upgraded outdoor spaces. The lobby renovation transformed a confined, single-story space into a double height student amenity space, enhancing the original architectural elements by exposing structural waffle slab ceilings and marble-clad walls. The upgraded space is student-centric and provides a bright and spacious collaboration and study areas. Contemporary finishes and furniture recall the original mid-century modern design features and color palette.

Building Credits:

Original Architect: Paul Revere Williams, FAIA

General Contractor, Rudolph & Sletten

Structural Engineer, KPFF Consulting Engineers

Landscape Architect, Studio MLA

Interior Design, CO Architects

MEP, AEI Engineers

Historic Preservation Consulting Architect, Page & Turnbull

Tour Led by:

Phillip White, AIA, LEED AP BD+C – Associate Principal, CO Architects

Phillip White is an associate principal with CO Architects. Phillip has over 20 years of experience in large-scale higher education projects for clients around the country, including award-winning projects for UCLA, UC San Diego, NYU and the Universities of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture from California College of the Arts, and is a licensed architect in California and New York.

Scott Kelsey, FAIA – CO Architects, Principal

Scott Kelsey is a principal at CO Architects with over 40 years of experience in the planning and design of higher education, research and clinical facilities. Scott has an unparalleled passion for imagining academic environments that support new pedagogies, technologies and scholarly engagement. His work spans across the country for clients including UCLA, University of Arizona, University of Kansas and Harvard University. Scott is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon.

Maikol Del Carpio, Associate, KPFF Consulting Engineers

Dr. Del Carpio is currently an Associate at the Los Angeles Office of KPFF Consulting Engineers, focusing on award winning work in complex seismic retrofit and renovation projects. He leads several seismic upgrade projects using advanced structural analysis procedures. He has published several technical papers in peer-reviewed journals and conferences on the topic of seismic performance and advanced analysis methodologies. Dr. Del Carpio also participated as an analysis consultant in the development of guidelines for the Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Multi-Unit Wood-Frame Building with Weak First Stories (FEMA P-807 Report). Dr. Del Carpio is currently an associate member in the ASCE 41 committee on Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn strategies for seismically strengthening and retrofitting mid century building stock.

2. Understand design techniques for enhancing daylight and views in existing buildings.

3. Recognize how historic elements can be enhanced in renovation projects.

4. Discover sustainability strategies employed in historic renovation projects.

Parking Information:

Tour to meet in front of building (at inverted fountain). Tour attendees should park in visitor spaces at Parking Structure 2 (PS2) 719 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024