Royce Hall suffered severe structural damage in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The towers verged on collapse and needed to be strengthened and restored on an emergency basis. Royce Hall’s eligibility for National Register listing prompted FEMA earthquake resistance requirements beyond normal life / safety levels and triggered close design scrutiny by federal and state preservation officers. The seismic renovation project was designed and completed by Barton Phelps & Associates and Anshen + Allen Los Angeles in 1998.

The team designed and documented a comprehensive renovation plan that improved performance capability, restored historically significant spaces, renovated classrooms, faculty offices, and building systems and provided new facilities for performance management, patron services, and the Humanities Library.

For more information on the Royce Hall Seismic Renovation project visit Barton Phelps & Associates.