UC Irvine’s Architecturally Spectacular Buildings
Most architecture lovers agree: there’s no better concentration of architecturally stunning structures in Orange County than on the UC Irvine campus.
William Pereira, the mastermind behind the initial campus design, imagined the city of Irvine—and by extension, UCI—as "a city of intellect" where every building would contribute to a cohesive yet dynamic educational landscape. Pereira's futuristic approach laid the foundation for a campus that would continually evolve, reflecting the changing tides of architectural trends and educational needs.
The result is a campus that blends diverse architectural styles, from mid-century modernism to contemporary designs, each building telling its own story while contributing to the overarching narrative of UCI’s architectural evolution. Read on for a list of some of the most celebrated buildings on UCI’s campus, plus insights from UCI’s leadership on how they ensure new additions to the campus integrate seamlessly.
Engineering Tower
1970
Kistner, Wright & Wright
Murray Krieger Hall
1965
W.L. Pereira & Associates; Jones & Emmons & Associates; Blurock, Ellerbroek & Associates
McGaugh Hall
1991
Arthur Erickson Architects
Science Library
1994
James Stirling and Michael Wilford
Rowland Hall
1969
Kenneth S. Wing
Student Health Center
1968
Ellerborek, Koteles, Fox & Associates
Howard Schneiderman Lecture Hall
1965
W.L Pereira & Associates, Jones & Emmons & Associates Blurock, Ellerbroek & Associates
Computer Science Building
1971
Kistner, Wright & Wright
Langson Library
1965
W.L Pereira & Associates, Jones & Emmons & Associates Blurock, Ellerbroek & Associates
Social Science Tower
1971
Albert C. Martin & Associates
Crawford Hall
1965
W.L Pereira & Associates, Jones & Emmons & Associates Blurock, Ellerbroek & Associates
The Evolution of UCI’s Architectural Landscape
We spoke with Brian Pratt, AIA, DBIA, LEED AP, who serves as the Associate Vice Chancellor and Campus Architect for UC Irvine Design and Construction Services. Vice Chancellor Pratt shared more insights on the history of UCI’s campus design.
Brian Pratt, AIA, DBIA, LEED AP
Associate Vice Chancellor and Campus Architect
What architectural philosophy influenced the design of UCI's campus during its major construction periods?
The campus has undergone several iterations, beginning with what is today coined “brutalist” architectural style with several designs by William Pereira. He was responsible for the original master plan of the University, as well as it’s first several buildings. The campus also had several “signature architect” designs in the 80’s and 90’s. Now, the University takes a contextual approach to the buildings, knitting a campus fabric while maintaining architectural identity and character for each new building.
What were the primary goals behind these designs?
When William Pereira designed the first buildings for the campus, there was no “there there.” Irvine didn’t exist as a city, and the campus was situated in the rolling cattle ranch of the Irvine family. These “brutalist” buildings marked a place in a landscape with gravity and presence to establish what has now become a leading research institution globally. Philosophically, the campus’ current approach is to design within a framework to preserve a campus fabric while offering buildings with character and identity as leaders within their respective disciplines.
Were these choices considered ahead of their time, and how were they received by the community?
The Pereira buildings were definitely ahead of their time, and he was featured on the cover of Time Magazine as a trailblazer in the field of architecture. At the time, there wasn’t really a community nearby, so the buildings were an ensemble in the landscape anticipating a brilliant future for the University.
How does UCI's unique design enhance the student and faculty experience on campus?
Currently, our buildings enhance community and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Our newest student dormitories are state of the art, with a multitude of spaces to collaborate, socialize, quiet study, rehearse and nourish. The newest academic and research buildings lead the way in encouraging novel teaching methods and interdisciplinary research through contemporary laboratory and teaching spaces with an extensive variety of interaction opportunities.
How do you ensure that new architectural projects complement the existing campus aesthetic?
We work in detail through iterative design studies to guide the design teams within a framework of architectural aesthetic and functional design. We develop a “Detailed Project Program” (DPP) for each project that conveys the vision, wants, needs and requirements for a given project and the design teams are obligated to comply with the DPP. Then we work collaboratively to ensure the designs meet requirements while upholding the vision and function for the future of academia and research.
