UCLA Lecture Hall Types and Capacities

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) offers a diverse range of lecture halls and classrooms to accommodate its large student body and faculty. These spaces vary significantly in size, design, and technological capabilities, catering to different academic needs and event types. From historic landmarks like Royce Hall to modern conference centers and technologically advanced classrooms, UCLA provides a rich learning environment.

Royce Hall: A Landmark Venue

Royce Hall, designed by Allison & Allison, is a defining image of UCLA. Completed in 1929 in the Lombard Romanesque style, it originally served as the university's primary classroom facility. Royce Hall is a seven-story brick building (excluding the basement and sub-basement), with only the basement and first three floors open to the public. The towers themselves have seven floors. Severely damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake, Royce Hall underwent a $70.5 million seismic renovation, completed in 1998 by Barton Phelps & Associates and Anshen + Allen Los Angeles. This renovation strengthened the structure, improved functionality, and updated the interior.

Acoustic and Design Enhancements

The renovation of Royce Hall included reconfiguring the auditorium sidewalls to hold concrete shear panels. New wall openings, enclosed by new structure, form operable acoustic galleries, allowing variable acoustic responses. Skylights in the gallery restore natural light to the coffered ceiling. The new walls are clad in brick and terra cotta, similar to the original exterior. The uneven texture of projecting blocks improves sound diffusion.

A Stage for Luminaries

Royce Hall has hosted numerous luminaries, including musicians George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, and Ella Fitzgerald, and speakers Albert Einstein and John F. Kennedy. In 1936, University of California President Robert Gordon Sproul appointed a committee to oversee programming, and in 1937, Royce Hall's first performing arts season was born. The first subscription series included Marian Anderson, the Budapest String Quartet, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Recording History

Royce Hall was the venue for several landmark recordings of the Los Angeles Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta from 1967 through 1978, recorded by Decca. Engineers constructed a temporary stage platform to optimize the acoustics. These recordings, initially dismissed by classical music critics, are now regarded as classics. Royce Hall has also been used for recording film scores and contemporary popular music.

General Assignment Classrooms: A Variety of Learning Spaces

UCLA has 190 general assignment (GA) classrooms in 22 campus buildings. These classrooms range in size from small seminar rooms with a capacity of 12 to large auditoria seating over 400. Over 9,000 classes are scheduled in GA classrooms each year. These rooms are used for campus classes, UCLA Extension classes, review sessions, examinations, events, and student organization meetings. The Registrar’s Office books campus classes, examinations, and review sessions, while the UCLA Events Office books events and student organization meetings.

Classroom Modernization Pilot Project

In recent years, UCLA has invested in modernizing its classrooms. A $4.3 million General Assignment Classroom Modernization Pilot Project upgraded six classrooms in Kaplan Hall and the Physics and Astronomy Building. These upgrades included new audio-visual technology, modular desks and tables, improved acoustics and lighting, and accessibility support systems. The upgraded classrooms include:

Kaplan A26
Kaplan A40
Kaplan A48
Kaplan A65
Physics and Astronomy Building (PAB) 1749
PAB 2434

Two additional classrooms, Franz 1178 and Boelter Hall 2760, also received upgrades. Boelter Hall 2760 was fully renovated to expand its seating capacity from 72 to over 100 seats.

Technology and Accessibility

The modernization project focused on creating dynamic spaces with flexible class modalities, including in-person and hybrid sessions, lecture capture, and accessibility support systems. The goal is to create classrooms that are accessible, sustainable, and scalable, adapting to the needs of every instructor and student.

UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center

The UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center, which opened in August 2016, provides a modern and sustainable meeting environment. The design is inspired by UCLA’s Romanesque Revival buildings, such as Royce Hall and Powell Library. The Luskin Conference Center is an “H-shaped” building with exterior cast stone and brick details. It features a guestroom tower with 254 guestrooms and two lower wings with conference, reception, and dining spaces.

Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA

Meeting and Event Spaces

The Luskin Conference Center has 25 separate meeting rooms, each named to reinforce the center’s mission to educate and inspire. The rooms can accommodate a wide range of groups and configurations, up to 750 attendees. The multi-level conference wings and sub-divisible Centennial Hall allow multiple groups to use the center simultaneously. The main Centennial Hall can be subdivided into two major subspaces, each accommodating 350 people, or four smaller subspaces, each accommodating 170 people.

Technology and Sustainability

The Luskin Center incorporates high-speed WiFi, centralized audiovisual controls, and a smart card security system. Environmental concerns informed the selection of interior materials, with emphasis on recycled and locally-sourced materials. The Luskin Conference Center strives to achieve a LEED Gold Certification, utilizing the latest design and construction practices to conserve water and energy and maximize the use of recycled and renewable materials.

Specific Classroom Examples

UCLA provides detailed information about specific classrooms, including their location, capacity, and available equipment. For example, Edward K. 37-124 in the Engineering IV Building is a large room with 10 tables and 30 seats, equipped with an overhead projector, screen, and whiteboard.

CS Engineering VI Conference/Meeting Rooms

The CS Engineering VI building has conference and meeting rooms with specific policies, such as restrictions on food and drinks. Changes to the room setup must be restored before leaving.

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