Davidson Library

Soule and Murphy were architects who created the master plans for the UCSB campus, everything from landscape plans to building constructions and the Davidson Library. However, only a couple of their plans were actually adopted, including Webb Hall and the first version of the library built in 1952. The men behind the plans were prominent architects in the Santa Barbara area, creating Craftsman- style cottages and mediterranean homes. Chester Carjola, the other architect involved in the design of the library building was another architect that influenced the style of Santa Barbara architecture in the mid 20th century. His designs worked in various popular revival styles, including "Spanish Colonial to Mediterranean to English Tudor". Carjola was also involved and contributed to the remodeling and design of the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. 

Almost immediately after the Library building was completed and opened to students in 1954, the University began planning for an addition. Completed in 1962 and designed by Carjola and Greer, the addition increased the space for books and study areas. Plans were already underway for an even larger addition, completed in 1969 by Frost and Greer, which is the 8-story tower. This addition is the tallest building on campus and holds the majority of the collection of books for the campus. The tower portion also originally contained individual study carrels which could be assigned to graduate students or faculty; these carrels were solitary and lockable, which allowed the patrons to use them as offices. By 1977, more administrative space was needed, and a fourth addition was completed by the local architecture firm Arendt, Mosher, and Grant. This four story building was added to the south side of the tower and included offices, Special Research Collections facilities, and additional book and study spaces. By the 2010s, the University and Library had grown beyond the capacity of the building, and another addition was completed in 2016. A complete gut renovation of the original 1952 and 1962 additions was done, seismic updates were completed on the Tower and four-story buildings, and a new three-story addition was completed by Pfeiffer Partners. The newest building was purpose-built to house Special Research Collections, additional classroom spaces, and computer labs.

Architect Spotlight: Chester Carjola (1901-1985), Marsha Kotlyar Estate Group. April 27th 2018. Accessed November 22nd 2020. https://www.mkgroupmontecito.com/blog/architect-spotlight-chester-carjola-1901-1985.php.

Slaught, Kenny . 5 Santa Barbara Architects Who Created the Face of the City, October 15th 2015. Accessed November 22nd 2020. https://kennyslaught.wordpress.com/2015/10/15/5-santa-barbara-architects-who-created-the-face-of-the-city/.