Renovated UCLA psychology building recognized as "model modernization"

The updated facility, now known as Pritzker Hall, was designed by architect Paul Revere Williams in 1967.

July 9, 2021

2 min read

Pritzker Hall on the University of California Los Angeles campus has received a 2021 design award in the Public/Institute category from The Westside Urban Forum.

The building was recognized for its sensitive design and programmatic updates along with improvements in the building's seismic stability and energy efficiency.

The project consisted of modernization and seismic upgrades to what had been known as Psychology Tower. The renovation encompassed eight floors of offices, academic and research space.

The school was designed by architect Paul Revere Williams in 1967 as Franz Hall Psychology Tower. At about 125,000 square feet, the tower is a 100-foot cube, with eight above-ground floors and three subterranean ones.

It houses research laboratories, dry laboratories, classrooms, and faculty offices. Williams created a grid theme for the building to blur the contrast between windowless clinical-research rooms and window-clad classrooms and offices.

The renovation was funded by a grant from the Anthony & Jeanne Pritzker Foundation; the building is set to reopen to students and staff in summer 2021 as Pritzker Hall.

The architect for the renovation is CO Architects.