Dedicated in 1930 and designed by architect George W. Kelham, Powell Library was the first of the four original buildings that established the heart of UCLA’s Westwood campus. Constructed between 1927 and 1929, the building is a defining example of the Lombardesque Northern Italian Romanesque Revival style, a hallmark of early 20th-century academic architecture. 

Powell Library is a key contributor to the UCLA Historic District and listed on the California Register of Historic Places. Its Main Reading Room is often described as “the living room of UCLA.” 

In 2019, Phase 1 of the Powell Library Seismic Retrofit and Rehabilitation Project began to bring the building into compliance with the University of California’s seismic safety requirements and modern earthquake-resistance standards. The work was designed in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, ensuring that structural improvements would preserve the building’s historic character. 

One of the project’s most delicate tasks involved the reading room’s 447 historic ceiling panels. Each panel was carefully catalogued, documented, and removed to allow for structural reinforcement. 

Rather than transporting these fragile elements offsite–risking damage during handling–the project team engineered a custom on-site solution. A scaffold mezzanine with specially designed upper-level shelving was constructed within the reading room itself. This innovative approach reduced risk by minimizing movement and the need for temperature control for the panels, ensuring they could be safely reinstalled once structural work was complete. 

The seismic reinforcement required extraordinary precision. The team described the method as a “ship in a bottle” approach. 33 tons of structural steel and more than 350 feet of reinforcement was installed above the historic ceiling all introduced through a single 42” x 60” window opening. Every steel component had to be sized to fit through that single window and manually lifted into place. Despite the scale of intervention, the reinforcement was carefully concealed above the decorative ceiling, preserving the room’s historic character and architectural artistry. 

In an incredible feat, Powell Library remained open throughout construction. To minimize disruption, most heavy construction work occurred overnight and enhanced soundproofing was installed. Continuous noise monitoring ensured a quiet study environment. This careful coordination allowed students and faculty to continue using the library while critical seismic upgrades were underway. 

The Powell Library Seismic Retrofit and Rehabilitation Project safeguards one of UCLA’s most significant architectural landmarks. By strengthening the structure while honoring its historic fabric, the project ensures that this beloved campus icon will continue serving future generations. 

The Conservancy awarded the Powell Library Seismic Retrofit and Rehabilitation Project a 2026 Preservation Award.