CO Architects gave new life to a historic 11-level Midcentury Modern building rebranded Pritzker Hall at UCLA in Los Angeles, California.

Formerly known as Franz Hall Psychology Tower, Pritzker Hall is an 8-story building with three basement levels that houses UCLA’s Psychology Department, one of the school’s largest programs. In 2020, UCLA received a $30 million commitment from the Anthony and Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation to preserve and update the historic building to meet state-mandated seismic standards and sustainability goals. The building was renamed Pritzker Hall in recognition of the gift.

Designed by famed architect Paul Revere Williams, FAIA, the nearly perfect cube 100 x 100 x 100-foot tower was originally completed in 1967. Williams also designed UCLA’s Botany Building, which opened in 1959 and was one of the first publicly funded projects awarded to a black-led architecture firm on the West Coast. CO Architects also modernized that building.

For Pritzker Hall earthquake compliance, UCLA had two options: raze the tower or undertake a more costly but exponentially more sustainable full-building renovation. Instead of adding expedient but unsightly external braces, CO Architects and engineering firm KPFF pursued an exotic, less invasive solution – adding viscous dampers. These function as large shock absorbers, retrofitted to the building’s corners on almost every level. UCLA’s Engineering Department modeled seismic shaker testing to help specify and validate the dampers.

CO’s design retained Williams’ function-determines-form facade with minimal modifications. His waffle slab approach alternates real windows with faux glazing solid panels for the clinic rooms where privacy is required. CO’s update included replacing the original windows with insulated energy-efficient products.

Williams continued the grid theme inside, where CO created a double-height lobby that showcases the structural waffle slab ceiling. The renovated lobby’s original architectural elements such as marble-clad walls and terrazzo floors were complimented with contemporary finishes and student-oriented furniture choices. The space has multiple study and lounge areas fit for both individual and collaborative needs. CO collaborated with Tangram Interiors to furnish the building. A variety of seating options were provided throughout the lobby: Steelcase Joel lounge chairs, Circa lounge seating, and Montara chairs. Steelcase Bassline coffee tables along with Arcadia Avelina meeting tables were used in various locations.

Pritzker Hall’s classrooms were also modernized, as were faculty offices, clinical areas, and collaboration spaces for present-day teaching and research. Along with the functional updates throughout, upgraded aesthetics help attract and retain employees and students.

Specifically, the dry research areas and shared testing rooms were customized with modular furnishings to accommodate specialized lab equipment. A sectional approach allows research teams to best utilize the space. Wet labs were also designed to be shareable. These spaces were equipped with modular benches to support hands-on work. Selected Steelcase furniture includes Cobi chairs, Universal tables and storage, and Currency mobile pedestals. The clinic research spaces were designed and outfitted to serve students and people participating in mental health studies and therapy. These areas now have waiting spaces and observation corridors along with digital control rooms.

Student-oriented elements and active learning classrooms with ample collaboration space were woven into the design. For these technology-driven, team-focused learning environments, flexible seating and movable furniture selections support evolving courses and student needs.

Pritzker Hall’s clinical spaces include faculty research areas for studying anxiety and depression; substance abuse and addiction; human relationships; stress, resilience and health; neuroscience; and cognition and consciousness. Further, conference rooms throughout the building were thoughtfully designed to also support collaboration and academic research. These were fitted with Steelcase FrameOne tables, Potrero tables, and Montara chairs.

The sum of these design efforts, which also included a drought-resistant landscape added in conjunction with new ADA-compliant building access, was LEED Platinum sustainability certification for Pritzker Hall.

Design: CO Architects
Furniture Dealer: Tangram Interiors
Photography: courtesy of CO Architects