Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

University of California, Santa Barbara: Davidson Library

  • 12/01/16
University of California, Santa Barbara: Davidson Library interior and exterior images

PHOTOS © LERUM PHOTO

The $58.5 million renovation of the Davidson Library at University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is designed to enhance teaching, learning and research at UCSB, meeting the needs of the campus’ growing student body. Constructed by C.W. Driver, various renovations including Fire and Life Safety upgrades and seismic retrofits were made in order to bring the existing library up to code while also incorporating a range of collaboration spaces, a café and numerous open-air study areas. C.W. Driver worked closely with the university and library staff throughout the entire project to lessen the impact of construction to students and staff, working around the university’s schedule.

Designed by Pfeiffer Partners, the renovations included the addition of a 62,000-square-foot, three-story building to the north of the library, which houses the Special Research Collections, a collection of rare artifacts and materials available to UCSB students, faculty and the scholarly community. Due to the historic contents, the space requires very tight humidity and temperature controls which are regulated by dedicated HVAC units and a large desiccant wheel dehumidifier. A cold room, designed to imitate a walk-in refrigerator, and a vault area were installed for the most sensitive and valuable items.

Davidson Library achieved LEED Gold certification and joins approximately 24 LEED-certified buildings already at UCSB. To achieve this distinction, C.W. Driver incorporated a number of aspects to optimize energy efficiency, improve indoor environmental quality and maximize the use and reuse of sustainable and local resources. Additionally, UCSB’s Davidson Library was one of the first Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) projects — a delivery method where the construction manager is committed to delivering the project within a guaranteed maximum price — to be utilized within the University of California system.

Despite labor shortages in the region throughout the duration of the project, UCSB’s Davidson Library was completed on-budget, four months ahead of schedule.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Surging Demand for Student Housing Fuels Major Campus Investment Opportunities

    University leaders throughout the U.S. are accelerating plans to modernize and expand student housing as enrollment stabilizes and demand for on-campus living rebounds. Recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicates that total postsecondary enrollment is projected to grow through the end of the decade, with undergraduate enrollment alone expected to increase by more than 8 percent by 2030.

  • GeoCam and UCLA: Modernizing Campus Accessibility Mapping

    In early 2025, UCLA partnered with GeoCam to capture and modernize its pedestrian infrastructure data. The goal was ambitious but clear: to produce a high-accuracy, imagery-backed digital map of every sidewalk, pathway, ramp, and ADA-related feature on UCLA’s 419-acre campus.

  • California Middle School Breaks Ground on Major Renovation Project

    The Hillsborough City School District (HCSD) in Hillsborough, Calif., recently began construction on new multipurpose and administration facilities for Crocker Middle School, according to a news release.

  • UT-San Antonio Begins Residence Hall Renovations

    The University of Texas at San Antonio recently began a $6-million renovation project to one of its residence halls, according to a news release. Originally completed in 1986, Chisolm Hall measures in at 120,860 square feet and is the oldest and largest residence hall on campus.