Soule & Murphy: bird's eye view of campus
In 1950, Santa Barbara architecture firm Soule and Murphy developed a master plan for the campus. Initially, the college was to be a small liberal-arts college (with a maximum enrollment of 3500 students), not a large research university. The Soule and Murphy master plan shows a large semi-circle of buildings facing an amphitheater near the lagoon, with another wide plaza surrounded by buildings also facing south. In addition to these structures, there were recreational fields on the northern end of the mesa overlooking the airport, following an existing running track and adjacent road. Soule and Murphy took advantage of the oceanfront site by orienting the campus toward the ocean in a series of Beaux Arts-style quadrangles and plazas, which were to be surrounded by academic buildings.
University of California, Santa Barbara Campus Building records, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.
Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.
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This early plan from Charles Luckman Associates shows a greater density of buildings in the central campus core, with multiple buildings surrounding the central and north quadrangles. Physical and Biological Science buildings are grouped on the east side of campus, along with the Social Sciences. The Humanities, Arts, and Music are in the center of the area, with "Professional Schools" near the western edge, closer to Isla Vista. Large parking lots are scattered throughout campus, though the central area is free from roads and vehicles.
Charles Luckman Associates, executive architects
Master Plan- Progressive Development, Stage 1, 1952
This is a copy of an image which shows the layout of Marine Air Base Santa Barbara buildings (in yellow), with the addition of the first two University of California, Santa Barbara College buildings (in red). Roads and parking lots are shown in brown, and the rows of eucalyptus trees are shown in long rows along the roads and boundary with Isla Vista. The two new university buildings, Webb Hall and the original library, would have been under construction at the time this map was made in 1952.
Santa Barbara, Calif.; Goleta, Calif.; Isla Vista, Calif.
Location Map of the New Santa Barbara Campus
This early map shows the existing county roads and the roads on the former Marine Air Base. Hand-drawn arrows indicate traffic flow from Goleta and Santa Barbara towards the new campus. This map shows many of the roads that are still in use today, as well as a few which no longer exist (especially the roads on airport property).
In this 1968 version of the long range development plan, the campus footprint expanded to include the Storke Campus area along El Colegio and Los Carneros Road, and the West Campus area around Coal Oil Point and the Devereux Slough.
This site plan shows the pedestrian circulation patterns within this section of San Joaquin. The mixed height of the buildings, break up the massing of the structures which hold faculty apartments, lounges, and study spaces. The plan emphasizes communal spaces by placing them close to the public walkways. The buildings were sited so as not to impede upon the Storke Ranch properties immediately to the north. San Joaquin follows this model by also including the Portola Dining Commons, a market, outdoor volleyball and basketball courts, as well as a range of social and academic services for the 1000 students who live here and for the 1300 students in the adjacent Santa Catalina Residence Hall. By adding more apartment-style living units and amenities, the University hopes to keep students living in campus housing for all four of their undergraduate years. Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects (LOHA) designed two of the housing clusters in the northern section of the site. Two more of the clusters were designed by Kevin Daly Architects (KDA), and Kieran Timberlake was responsible for the Portola Dining Commons. Two 6-story towers and the overall site master plan are by Skidmore Owings and Merrill (SOM).
The Bren School of Environmental Studies is one of the premier environmental science schools in the country, and the only graduate school of environmental management in the UC system. The building itself is also exceptional. The first dedicated research and laboratory facility to achieve the highest LEED status as a new building, it was re-certified Platinum in the existing buildings category in 2009 and again in 2017. It is the only building to receive multiple platinum awards. The central courtyard offers informal meeting spaces, while the open, exterior stairwell provides architectural interest. Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership is an international architectural firm that specializes in commercial and education projects. In addition to the Bren School, they also designed the Marine Science Building (2004) and the Humanities and Social Sciences building (1994).
Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership, architects
Francisco Torres / Santa Catalina Residence Hall
This is a preliminary planting plan for the area surrounding the private residence hall, Francisco Torres. This residence hall, at the corner of Storke Road and El Colegio, was built and maintained by private owners. Though it was heavily marketed towards incoming freshman, it was not part of the UCSB Housing department until UCSB purchased the complex in 2003 and renamed it Santa Catalina. This planting plan shows that the complex was initially designed with 4 towers, connected by a common area, dining hall, pool, and tennis courts.
McGehee & Nicholson, architects; Richard B. Taylor, landscape architect
Richard B. Taylor papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.
The on-campus home for the Chancellor and his/her family, the University House is located at the edge of the lagoon, close to the original residence halls. With an enclosed courtyard, wide roof overhangs, and a patio with a view of the lagoon, the University House exemplifies the indoor/outdoor living possibilities on campus. The adjacent Centennial House is used for events.
This photograph of a model of Broida Hall shows a view from the south, with Webb Hall and the Woodhouse Laboratory in the foreground. In addition to classroom and office space, Broida also has two lecture halls. As one of the later works of Charles Luckman Associates at UCSB, the architectural vocabulary highlights the horizontal lines, re-enforced concrete, and overhanging sunshades on the windows as part of the "late campus standard" architectural style.
This photograph shows a model of South Hall, with Girvetz Hall in the foreground. Marsh, Smith & Powell designed Girvetz in 1955, shortly before Marshs' death. The firm changed its name to Powell, Morgridge, Richards, & Coughlin in the early 1960's and designed many of the buildings on campus in the "late campus standard" style of architecture: Phelps Hall, Ellison Hall, Buchanan Hall, and South Hall. This style is characterized by long horizontal lines of re-enforced concrete, with tall utility shafts, and sunscreens that overhang the windows to block the excessive sun. The connection between the "campus standard" and "late campus standard" styles can be seen most clearly in the walkways connecting South Hall and Girvetz: South Hall creates courtyards around Girvetz, with seating areas built from the standard cinnamon colored concrete blocks, and a one-story covered walkway extends from the southwest corner of Girvetz to the southwest corner of South.
Powell, Morgridge, Richards & Coughlin, architects
This is a photograph of a model of the Biological Sciences II building, looking at the north-west corner of the building, with Parking Lot #1 on the left side of the image. The building houses numerous laboratories, offices, and other research spaces. Jones & Emmons had previously designed Theater & Dance East and Noble Hall in the "early campus standard" style, with patterned cinnamon colored concrete blocks, covered walkways, and patterned wind-walls. Biological Sciences II references more of the "late campus standard" style, with horizontal re-enforced concrete, prominent vertical utility shafts, and one story covered entryway to the multi-story building.
A. Quincy Jones & Frederick Emmons, architects
This computer generated drawing of the connecting Paseo shows the options for different floor and wall finishes for the two story space. As one of the busiest areas on campus, with over one million people entering and exiting each year, the new lobby needed to handle foot traffic and create additional study space on the open second floor.
Pfeiffer Partners Architects, Inc., architects
The 2016 renovation and addition to the 1968 Faculty Club was completed by Moore & Turnbull's successor firm, Moore Ruble Yudell. The addition included adding a wing of 30 guest rooms and updating the dining room and meeting room interiors.
A photograph of a model of San Rafael Hall. The placement of San Rafael Hall on the western edge of the campus, adjacent to Isla Vista, shows the expansion of the on-campus housing beyond the original residence hall cluster. The Carrillo Dining Commons was built (also by Charles Luckman Associates, 1967) adjacent to San Rafael. This residence hall was designed to have small clusters of students living in buildings designed to create small communities, each small section with their own study lounge and bathroom facilities. San Rafael was also designed as the first co-educational residence hall, with separate wings of the buildings for men and women. In addition to a new dining commons, recreational facilities were planned for the lagoon 'island' which included baseball, football, and soccer fields.
This blueprint is an early floor plan for the first floor of the building. The unique shape of the eastern wing makes this building immediately recognizable, and the varied heights of the different components of the building give a visual reference to the different functions of the departments. The building houses the offices of the departments of Anthropology, Asian-American Studies, Classics, Drama and Dance, History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies, as well as the Interdisciplinary Humanities Center. The design of HSSB incorporates some of the common elements of the overall campus design such as sheltered courtyards, covered loggias, and classrooms that open directly to the outside. Zimmer, Gunsul, Frasca Architects are an international architectural firm which specializes in commercial and education projects. In addition to HSSB, they also designed the Marine Science Building (2004), and the Bren School of Environmental Studies building (2002).
Institute of Theoretical Physics-- Kohn Hall floor plan
This is an early floor plan of the original building for Kohn Hall, designed by Michael Graves. The Kavli Institute of Theoretical Physics is a world-renown research facility where physicists meet to collaborate on cutting edge research and theoretical questions. The scientists come to UCSB for extended periods of time (anywhere from one week to many months) to meet and discuss new problems in the field. The Kohn Building was originally designed in 1994 by architect Michael Graves, with an addition completed in 2004, also by Graves. The building was designed specifically to foster interactions between scientists, so offices and hallways are laid out in such a manner as to facilitate random meetings and impromptu discussions (with a number of blackboards in communal spaces for working out complex theoretical issues). Michael Graves is known for being one of the leading examples of postmodern architecture. In addition to building iconic commercial and public buildings (like the Denver Public Library and an expansion of the Whitney Museum of American Art), he was a Professor of Architecture at Princeton University and a designer for Alessi and Target. His postmodern and urbanist style was reflected in the use of color and classical elements in new and varied ways.
This is an early pen on heavy paper drawing of scheme for the Faculty Club. The roofline, massing, and collonades are all very different from the building that was eventually built.
Charles Moore and William Turnbull, Jr., architects
Charles Moore and Urban Innovations Group drawings and model, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara College of the University of California-- Mesa Campus Master Plan
This master plan of the Leadbetter Mesa campus, assumed to be drawn by Soule & Murphy, shows a large number of buildings built on the mesa and surrounding areas. The Arts buildings were clustered towards the Cliff Drive side of campus, while the Science buildings were closer to the ocean. Dormitories and a student union were in the area of the SBCC west campus, with a large amphitheater and tennis courts along Loma Alta Drive. The football stadium had been built in 1940, and other athletic buildings were added to the area below the mesa, along with 'beach sports' on west beach, and 'yachting' in the harbor.
Robert Ingle Hoyt papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.
Two years after Killingsworth completed the Student Health Center, his firm began work on a 300 unit apartment complex for married students near the corner of Los Carneros Road and Mesa Road, just north and west of the main campus. The red tile roofs, white stucco walls, and wooden balconies and gazebos throughout the complex gave it the feel of a small Spanish town. The same style is also echoed in the Santa Ynez apartments just to the south, and the San Clemente villages, to the southeast.
Killingsworth, Brady, & Associates, architects
Edward A. Killingsworth papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara
Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara
This image shows the east elevation (facing El Colegio Road) and the west elevation (facing the bike path). Both entrances have changed significantly,
Killilngsworth, Brady, & Associates, architects
This is an early design of the interior floor plan for the Student Health Center. The building appears to have been designed as having facilities for 24/7 care, with individual rooms. Multiple versions of this floor plan exist as the needs of the facility changed.
Institute of Theoretical Physics -- Kohn Building
This rendering of the east elevation of the Kavli Institute of Theoretical Physics shows the sloping tile roof, vine covered trellises, and stucco exterior mimics the Spanish Revival nature of Santa Barbara architecture.
The plot plan for the first floor of the Materials Research Lab building shows the intricacies of fitting new buildings into the campus. The original Engineering building is immediately to the south, with an access road, pedestrian and bike paths surrounding the building. The addition of outdoor courtyards and abundant landscaping allow for a relaxing exterior space. The close proximity to other engineering and science buildings facilitates the interdisciplinary nature of much of the research that takes place at MRL.
Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects / Koening Eizenberg Architects
The Education and Social Sciences buildings house the Gevirtz School of Graduate Education, offices for the College of Letters and Sciences, the Center for Film, Television, and New Media, and the Pollock Theater. This image is a design sketch of the buildings, with the Pollock theater in the foreground. The sloping tile roofs and covered walkways echo the original campus design, while adding post-modern elements. The buildings had to fit within a prescribed footprint, in order to leave pedestrian circulation, bike paths, and roads in place, while keeping the massing from overpowering the site and also maintaining a north/south view corridor to the mountains.
Storke Tower-- Student Publications Building
This architectural drawing of the west and south exterior elevations of Storke Tower and parts of the lower plaza. Partially funded by Santa Barbara News Press founder Thomas M. Storke, this is the tallest structure on campus, at 175 feet tall, and is the tallest steel/cement structure in Santa Barbara County. The Brutalist building also houses a 61 bell carillion, which chimes every hour. The base of the tower houses the offices of the radio station and the yearbook.
A birds eye rendering of the Faculty Club, with the Theater and Dance building in the background. The front of the building slopes downwards towards the edge of the lagoon. MLTW/Moore Turnbull Architects were the executive architects, and Charles Luckman Associates were the consulting architects, since that firm was still overseeing the master campus plan.
This birds eye view of campus shows the build-out of the land in 1990. Many of the original WWII buildings still remain, and the vehicle flow around the perimeter of campus is greatly reduced from the earlier plans. The large expanse of surface parking lots along the western edge of campus were eventually replaced with the Student Resource Building, Parking Structure #22, and the Education and Social Sciences buildings. Additionally, the wide expanse of open field just to the north of Robertson Gymnasium has been filled in with multiple recreational facilities and practice fields. This map shows a particular instance in time, before the large building boom of the '90s, where large surface parking lots dominate the landscape, and open space existed along the perimeter of the campus.
University of California, Santa Barbara, planning department
Campus Landscape Plan -- Soule and Murphy
A rendering of the landscape plan for the campus. This plan orients south at the top of the plan, with the lagoon and ocean at the top and left of the image. Three quadrangles (south, east, and northwest) are shown originating from a central point. A semi-circle of residence halls faces the lagoon, with an outdoor theater at the water's edge. The recreational area at the lower right contains baseball diamond, running track, driving range, football field, and general athletic fields separated into men's and women's. Landscaping is highlighted in this plan, including an arboretum and natural landscaping around the lagoon. This plan was not adopted; the only buildings Soule & Murphy built were Webb Hall and Library I (with Chester Carjola).
Soule and Murphy, architects; Ralph T. Stevens, landscape architect
University of California, Santa Barbara Campus Building Records, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.
A photographic print of a birds eye view rendering of a version of the campus plan. The foreground shows the general outline of the residence halls, with the academic and administrative units towards the top of the image. Development on the lagoon peninsula and the area closer to Isla Vista, is a proposed sorority and fraternity housing area.
Pereira and Luckman, executive architects
Victor Cusack papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara State College -- Industrial Education Unit
This image is a photograph of a rendering of the Industrial Education Unit for the Leadbetter Mesa campus, designed by Alfred Eichler. It was the first building built on the site for the Santa Barbara State College expansion, and was used from the early 1940s until the campus moved to the Goleta Mesa in 1954. It is now part of the Santa Barbara City College, and houses the administration building, the MacDougall Administration Center.
Alfred Eichler papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara State Teachers College -- Ebbets Hall northeast entrance
A photograph of the entrance to Ebbets Hall on the northeast corner, facing Alvarado Place. The building was named after Miss Charlotte Ebbets, who was the department head of the Home Economics Department at the college. Ebbets Hall contained classrooms, laboratories, a 'practice house' for home economics classes, a kitchen, and three dining rooms.
Santa Barbara State Teachers College -- Ebbets Hall southeast corner
A photograph of the southeast side of the building.
Santa Barbara State Teachers College -- Ebbets Hall archway to loggia
A photograph of an arched entrance to the loggia at the western end of Ebbets hall. The photograph was taken soon after construction; un-graded dirt and construction debris can be seen at the base of the stairs.
Santa Barbara State Teachers College -- Administration Building
A photograph of a drawing by Alfred Eichler of the Administration Building for the Santa Barbara State Teachers College, formerly the State Normal School. The rendering shows the proposed administration building which housed offices, classrooms, a library, and a theater. Currently, the building is home to the Riviera Theater, and is part of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
The long range plan from 1975 shows a much greater concern for the adjacent community of Isla Vista. A larger concentration of university buildings is shown in the 'loop' area, as well as trees and pedestrian-friendly boulevards. Unlike the 1963 plan, the 1975 does not include an expansion of Highway 217 through the slough to the north of the campus mesa. The increase in environmental awareness after the 1969 oil spill in the Santa Barbara Channel changed the plans to be more eco-friendly.
University of California, Santa Barbara, planning department; William Liskamm, consulting architect
This long range plan was produced by executive architect Charles Luckman Associates. It shows a very concentrated build-up of academic buildings and residence halls, as well as expansion along El Collegio Road. The extension of Highway 217 along the north side of campus, along with the addition of more Married Student Housing and the concentration of fraternities and sororities on campus are main differences with earlier plans. With large parking lots outlining the periphery, the interior of the campus remains easily reachable on foot.
A watercolor rendering of the second building to be built on the Goleta campus. The Science Building was designed by Santa Barbara architects Windsor Soule and John Murphy, who were the supervising architects for the new campus until 1953. The 1.2 million dollar science building featured 14 laboratories, 100-seat auditorium, offices, classrooms, numerous safety features include storing explosives in a room with an exterior collapsible wall, and a lead-lined radiation chamber in the basement.
A watercolor rendering of the Arts Building, from an aerial birds-eye perspective. This shows the Spanish Colonial Revival influence on the design, with a focus on the red tile roof, courtyards, and patio spaces. Additionally, wind screens made of the patterned block walls provide wind protection (due to the lack of trees on campus at the time), and create outdoor rooms for classes and relaxing.
World War II Marine base and future site of the UC Santa Barbara campus: view of water tower
A view looking east towards the ocean, with the Marine base water tower off to the left. This site is currently the Materials Research Lab building.
World War II Marine base and future site of the UC Santa Barbara campus: Goleta Slough
A view looking west from near the current site of the East Entrance to the campus. This area looks fairly similar today, despite plans in the past to turn the coastal wetland into a recreational lake with a harbor, and other plans to infill the area with earth and extend highway 217 all along the edge of the mesa, out to Storke road. This location is now known as the Goleta Slough State Marine Conservation Area.
World War II Marine base and future site of the UC Santa Barbara campus: view of building 434
A photograph of building 434, the Associated Students Annex, directly across the Pardall bike path from Storke Tower. This building was the recreation building during the time of the Marine Base, it was later converted into a Student Union in the 1950s. The Marine Base auditorium was located across the road from building 434; until Campbell Hall was built in 1962, the auditorium was the largest venue on campus, with a capacity of 750 people.
World War II Marine base and future site of the UC Santa Barbara campus: campus pool
A view of the campus pool as it appeared before the Marine base was given to the University of California. The pool was used by the Marines to practice water landings and emergency parachute procedures; the jumping platform in the center of the photograph was converted to diving boards for the University. The old gym (Red Barn, Building 479) is in the background. After being converted to a co-educational facility, the gym was used for recreational activities for many years. The building is currently being used as overflow office space, and the original basketball court floor can still be seen in some of the rooms.
World War II Marine base and future site of the UC Santa Barbara campus: looking north towards the mountains
A photograph of the campus as it appeared after the Marines left, but before much construction had taken place. The Marine water tower is seen in the distance, and a car is parked on the road.
World War II Marine base and future site of the UC Santa Barbara campus: view of building 431
A photograph of the former Marine Base, looking southeast towards the ocean. The building in the foreground is possibly Building 431, which was torn down and eventually the 1977 addition to the library was built on this spot. Building 431 was a mess hall and "senior non-commissioned officer's club." This Marine Base building had been re-purposed into education and psychology classrooms for the first few years of the university.
University of California, Santa Barbara Aerial View-- Campbell Hall
An aerial view of the campus looking west towards Isla Vista. Campbell hall is in the center, with North Hall and Robertson Gymnasium in the distance. Cheadle Hall is under construction due west of Campbell Hall. Some of the WWII era buildings seen in this photograph are still in use today. The current Arts and Lectures ticket office building is seen to the lower right of Campbell hall, the Military Science building is in the lower middle of the photo (partially cut off), and the Old Gym is seen just beyond North Hall, along with the swimming pool. In the distance, growth in Isla Vista includes many large-scale apartment complexes.
University of California, Santa Barbara-- Campbell Hall
A view of Campbell Hall, looking towards the northwest, from the library. The photograph highlights the landscaping and outdoor patio space for studying. This view no longer exists, due to the building of Ellison Hall and the expansion of the Library.
World War II Marine base and future site of the UC Santa Barbara campus: view of gymnasium and pool
A photograph of the Marine base gymnasium building, with attached pool. This photograph also shows the lack of proper landscaping and grounds maintenance which plagued the early campus planners. Lack of topsoil (which the Marines had scraped off to fill the slough for the airport) revealed a sandy soil, which blew sand throughout the new campus. The building is currently used for office space, storage, art studios, and as shower facilities for the pool, which is used for water polo matches and community events.
World War II Marine base and future site of the UC Santa Barbara campus: view of buildings
A photograph of de-commissioned buildings on the former Marine base, possibly former officers' quarters.. Some of this type of building are still being used today for office space, including housing the ROTC and Military Science department. During the early years of the campus, these buildings were used as dormitories for male students until new residence halls were built.
University of California, Santa Barbara Aerial View-- looking west
An aerial view of the campus from the early 1950s, the Carjola-designed library is in the center of the image. Numerous World War II era buildings are seen in the lower right corner of the photograph. This photograph also highlights the lack of development in neighboring Isla Vista, with only a few streets and buildings along the top edge of the image.
University of California, Santa Barbara Aerial View-- looking northwest
An aerial view of the campus looking towards the northwest, with the foot hills in the distance at the top of the photograph. The residence halls Anacapa and Santa Cruz appear to be under construction in the front of the photograph, as well as the science building, Noble Hall. Farther in the distance, the Arts building and Robertson Gymnasium also appear to be under construction. This photograph emphasizes the rural nature of the early campus, with very little development taking place in the neighboring areas.
University of California, Santa Barbara Aerial View-- looking southwest
An aerial view of the campus from the early 1950s, looking towards the ocean in a southwesterly direction. The first two University buildings constructed are seen in the middle-lower-right (the Carjola-designed library) and immediately to the left of the eucalyptus windrow (the Soule and Murphy designed Science Building, now Webb Hall). This image clearly shows the large number of Marine Base buildings that were utilized by the University. The row of one-story building on the lower left corner of the photograph were the men's dormitories, the "Old Gym" is along the lower right side of the image, and the sweeping half-circle of two-story buildings which were used as offices and classrooms.
A rendering of the view from the southeast, towards the northwest, with the lagoon off to the far left side. Designed by Charles Luckman, the building utilizes some of the design motifs of the earlier campus buildings, and combines some of the later vertical elements into the towers. The one-story entrance gives a sense of humanness to the scale of the towers.
Engineering Building -- Harold Frank Hall
A rendering of the south side of the building, from the current location of the Bren School, looking north. This building housed the newly formed College of Engineering, which included electrical, mechanical, chemical, and computer engineering departments. The use of patterned concrete block, along with moldings and the angular arches over each window are representative of the "later campus standard" or extended architectural vocabulary of Charles Luckman Associates, campus architects from 1958 until 1968. The building now houses the offices of the Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments, as well as administrative offices.
A rendering of the Chemistry Building, taken from the southern edge of the East Lawn, looking north. This building echoes some of the extended architectural vocabulary of the late campus standard, with patterned concrete block, dentil mouldings under the concrete roof lines, angular arches, and the use of the one-story building to give a more human scale to the larger building. The architectural firm Albert C. Martin and Associates was formed in 1906, and is still managed today by the same family. The firm was one of the most prolific designers of commercial structures in downtown Los Angeles in the mid-twentieth century. Some of their notable buildings include the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power headquarters, ARCO Plaza, and the master plan for Westlake Village. The firm also designed the Woodhouse laboratory at UCSB in 1963.
Albert C. Martin and Associates, architects
A rendering of the original University Center design. The UCen is situated with a view over the lagoon and towards the ocean, south of, and between the Music Building and the Arts Building. The UCen has had multiple additions and alterations, though the original concrete block piers can still be seen lining the lower patio, and the hipped tile roof over the center portion of the building is also intact. Wallace Arendt (1917-1975), Glen Mosher (1914-2013?), and Robert Grant (1928-2017) were partners in an architecture firm in Santa Barbara from the mid-1950s until the mid-1970s. They designed many residences in Hope Ranch, Goleta, and Santa Barbara, as well as civic buildings, schools, and commercial buildings. At UCSB, they designed the Marine Science Lab (1964), Music II (1969), UCen I (1966), Library IV (1977), and University House (1964). In the 1980s, the firm changed its name to Grant, Pederson, Phillips and designed the Recreation Center; in the 1990s, the name changed again to Phillips Metsch Sweeney Moore Architects (PMSM) and designed the Psychology East building.
Almost immediately after the first library building was built in 1952, plans for an addition were being drawn up. And within a year of completing Library II, planning began in 1962 for Library III, which was completed in 1967. The growth of the library mirrors the expansion of the university's academic vision. In 1952, only Bachelor's degrees were issued, by 1961 Master's degrees, and by 1967 there was a need for a research library capable of fulfilling the research needs of PhD's. This building signals a shift away from the Pereira & Luckman campus plan towards a more eclectic style. The color of the vertical columns references the campus style, but the size and scale dwarf the surrounding 2-story buildings. The architectural firm Frost & Greer (also known as Cooke, Frost & Greer) designed the library's 8-story tower to hold an expanding number of books, as well as personal study carrels for faculty and graduate students.
A rendering of the music building addition, on the south side of the original building. This addition includes the former Arts Library and the Lottie Lehman Concert Hall. The design blends the addition seamlessly with the original building: patterned concrete block, hipped roofs, and exterior walkways and courtyard allow for easy integration with the earlier style. Wallace Arendt (1917-1975), Glen Mosher (1914-2013?), and Robert Grant (1928-2017) were partners in an architecture firm in Santa Barbara from the mid-1950s until the mid-1970s. They designed many residences in Hope Ranch, Goleta, and Santa Barbara, as well as civic buildings, schools, and commercial buildings. At UCSB, they designed the Marine Science Lab (1964), Music II (1969), UCen I (1966), Library IV (1977), and University House (1964). In the 1980s, the firm changed its name to Grant, Pederson, Phillips and designed the Recreation Center (1994); in the 1990s, the name changed again to Phillips Metsch Sweeney Moore Architects (PMSM) and designed the Psychology East building (2006).
A birds-eye view of the Dining Commons patio overlooking the lagoon. The first permanent dining hall replaced the use of the Marine Air Base mess hall. The original capacity was 800 students per meal, but was later increased to 1200 students per meal. The lagoon view initially attracted students to this dining hall, but now local, organic food and sustainable practices (including composting any food waste) keep the students on campus for meals.
Dining Commons #2 -- De La Guerra Dining Commons
A rendering of the exterior of the dining commons. The addition of a second dining commons helped to alleviate overcrowding at the Ortega dining facilities. An addition in 1963 gave the staff dining space, as well as additional kitchen space. In 2007, Studios Architecture updated the De La Guerra dining commons with a new glass entrance, raised the ceiling to create more volume, and added a variety of seating options.
A view of the two eight-story tower residence hall complex. The hall was designed to hold 400 male students in double occupancy rooms, but is now co-ed and a mixture of double and triple occupancy rooms. The single level building connects the two towers and provides an area for lounges, fitness rooms, and laundry facilities. This Charles Luckman Associates design echoes some of the earlier campus vocabulary like the patterned concrete block, dentil moulding, and hipped roof on the one-story section.
A rendering of the Psychology Building, looking towards the southeast, from the area at the south end of the Library. This was the first permanent home for the Psychology Department, and was designed as a research facility. The building was also a significant expansion in laboratory space, due to the addition of graduate programs in experimental psychology. The architecture firm of Douglas Honnold (1901-1974) and John Rex (1909-2003) was active as a partnership in the 1950s and 1960s in Los Angeles. They designed many residences and commercial buildings in the LA area, including the Architectural Product’s Research House and the Valley Plaza Tower. They also designed North Hall (1960) at UCSB.
Classroom and Office Building #1 -- Girvetz Hall
A rendering of what is now Girvetz Hall, before the addition of South Hall to it's western side. The building was also known as South Hall, after North Hall was built in 1962. It was the first permanent home for the Social Science and Foreign Language Departments, and included office space and classrooms. Norman Marsh (1871-1955), David Smith (1886-1964), and Herbert Powell (1898-1996) designed many commercial and educational buildings throughout Southern California; the firm were also university architects at the University of Southern California. After this rendering of Girvetz Hall was completed, they changed their name to Smith, Powell & Morgridge, and the firm completed the original Girvetz as well as its addition in 1966. The firm changed its name again to Powell, Morgridge, Richards & Coghlan and designed Buchanan Hall (1967), Phelps Hall (1968), Ellison Hall (1969), and South Hall (1971). Each of the later buildings carries some of the stylistic design features of the original campus standards.
Speech and Dramatic Arts Building -- Theater and Dance Building/Snidecor Hall
A rendering of the building looking south through the plaza towards the lagoon. The building contained a 380 seat theater, speech therapy facilities, and regular classroom and office space. It was originally designed for the emerging fields of broadcasting, mass communication, phonetics, and speech correction. The building received seismic upgrades and an addition in 2007 (Theater and Dance West) by A.C. Martin and Associates. A. Quincy Jones (1913-1979) and Fredrick Emmons (1907-1999) were partners in an architectural firm for almost 20 years. Prior to their partnership, they both worked for well-regarded architects: Jones for Paul Revere Williams in Los Angeles, and Emmons for William Wurster in the San Francisco area. Together they designed many housing tracts and commercial buildings throughout California. At UCSB they also designed the West Campus Family Student Housing (1963), Noble Hall (1959), and Biological Sciences 2 (1969).
A. Quincy Jones and Frederick Emmons, architects
A rendering of the exterior of the dining hall highlights the patterned concrete block, the hipped roof, screen walls (to protect the students from the ocean wind), and dentil mouldings along the bottom of the concrete overhang. These pieces of the Pereira & Luckman architectural vocabulary were combined in various ways to create a cohesive architectural style for the new campus buildings.
Marine Laboratory-- Marine Science Institute
The beach-side location allows for sea water to be pumped into the building for aquatic experiments, some of which is also distributed to other buildings on campus. Prior to construction of the building, it was noted in the specifications the detrimental effects of sea water on most building materials, and that care should be taken to mitigate the risk of sea water corrosion on the structure. This site was originally used as the water and sewage filtration plant for the Marine Air Base. Wallace Arendt (1917-1975), Glen Mosher (1914-2013?), and Robert Grant (1928-2017) were partners in an architecture firm in Santa Barbara from the mid-1950s until the mid-1970s. They designed many residences in Hope Ranch, Goleta, and Santa Barbara, as well as civic buildings, schools, and commercial buildings. At UCSB, they designed the Marine Science Lab (1964), Music II (1969), UCen I (1966), Library IV (1977), and University House (1964). In the 1980s, the firm changed its name to Grant, Pederson, Phillips and designed the Recreation Center; in the 1990s, the name changed again to Phillips Metsch Sweeney Moore Architects (PMSM) and designed the Psychology East building.
Physical Education Building -- Robertson Gymnasium
A rendering of an aerial view of the Physical Education building. The gym was named after State Senator Alfred W. Robertson, who was instrumental in bringing the UC to Santa Barbara. Originally home to the basketball team, the arena was also a concert venue for acts such as the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, and Bruce Springsteen. “Rob Gym” is still in use today as the venue for men’s volleyball. Additional athletic facilities include Harder Stadium (Edwards & Pitman, 1966), the Events Center/Thunderdome (ELS Design Group, 1980), the Recreation Center (Sasaki Associates/Grant Pedersen Phillips Architects, 1994), and Intercollegiate Athletics (Cannon-Dworsky, 2005).
Residence Hall #2 -- Anacapa Residence Hall
A rendering of a two story residence hall, with a one story connecting corridor in the distance. This is the second permanent residence hall built and housed up to 400 male students. It now holds over 600 co-ed students in four L-shaped 2-story wings, with a one-story center connecting area which contains lounges and recreational areas. After a 2013 renovation, the building was certified LEED Gold, for sustainability.
The original library building, built in 1952, was part of the original Soule and Murphy master plan for the UCSB campus. It was designed by Chester Carjola, a leading Santa Barbara architect who worked closely with Soule and Murphy on the campus plans. Donald C. Davidson, University Librarian from 1947-1977, also played a large role in creating the library. As a member of the campus building committee, he worked with the various architects to design the buildings to fit the needs of the growing university. The library's low tiled roof, patterned brick, and light colored walls reflect both the traditional Spanish influence and modernist materials. Originally built at a cost of just over one million dollars, the Library was state-of-the-art at the time of construction. Open stacks, group and individual study tables, typing room, audio/visual rooms, classrooms, patios, and sun decks made the Library design cutting edge for the time.
Married Student Housing -- West Campus Housing
A rendering of a design for Married Student Housing (now named West Campus Family Student Housing), at the corner of El Colegio Road and Storke Road. The 250 one- and two- bedroom apartments are grouped into 38 buildings, which are clustered around grassy play areas. A. Quincy Jones (1913-1979) and Fredrick Emmons (1907-1999) were partners in an architectural firm for almost 20 years. Prior to their partnership, they both worked for well-regarded architects: Jones for Paul Revere Williams in Los Angeles, and Emmons for William Wurster in the San Francisco area. Together they designed many housing tracts and commercial buildings throughout California. At UCSB they also designed the Theater and Dance Building/Snidecor Hall (1964), Noble Hall (1959), and Biological Sciences 2 (1969).
A rendering of Campbell Hall, looking northeast towards the main entrance. East Hall (now Phelps Hall) is off to the right and behind. Campbell Hall was named in honor of John and Ina Therese Campbell, founders of the Santa Barbara Campus Scholarship fund. According to UCSB Library materials, the construction of Campbell Hall was made possible by the sale and lease of the Mesa and Riviera campuses. The 860 seat theater is the largest venue on campus and is the site for large lecture classes, concerts, and public events (through Arts and Lectures series). Prior to Campbell Hall's construction in 1961, the largest performance venue on campus was a Marine Base era "movie house." In justifying a new building, the committee cited: "the flat floor makes viewing excruciatingly uncomfortable... the discomfort of the metal folding chairs destroys attention after thirty minutes... the structure would not pass present building codes-- in fact, firemen must be physically present at all performances."
Future site of the UC Santa Barbara campus: view of future Los Caneros Road, with campus planners
A view of a roadway, with eucalyptus trees lining either side. Two men are standing next to a car, looking at plans for the university.
World War II Marine base and future site of UC Santa Barbara: aerial view of site and coastline
An aerial view of the Goleta mesa campus site, with Campus Point in the foreground and the Santa Barbara Airport in the distance. World War II era buildings can be seen both inside and outside of the line of eucalyptus trees used as a windbreak. This photograph was taken before any buildings were constructed for the University, and clearly shows the layout of the Marine Buildings. The two-story buildings within the eucalyptus treeline were converted into classrooms and offices for the University; the long row of one-story buildings closer to the airport were originally enlisted men's barracks and became the residence halls for the collegiate men.
World War II Marine base and future site of the UC Santa Barbara campus: view of barracks
A view of the World War II barracks, as they existed when the University developed the Goleta mesa site. Barracks like these were turned into classrooms, laboratories, and offices. This photograph appears to have been taken in the current area of South Hall; the buildings pictured would have housed military science department and additional physical education spaces, since the gymnasium would have been located immediately to the west of the row of trees. Currently, buildings of this type house the offices of Arts & Lectures, a portion of El Centro, the Ergo lab, and other offices.