Renovation

In 2013, the campus community encouraged administrators to rehabilitate the deteriorating Amphitheater. Throughout 2014, the University sponsored an extensive feasibility study. Architectural specialists collaborated with a Core Advisory Group consisting of students, alumni, faculty, and administrators to define the guiding principles of the renovation. The study also sought input from the campus community through workshops and surveys. In 2015, the renovation moved forward when Student Fee Advisory Committee, which consists of undergraduate and graduate students, voted to contribute $6.38 million in student fee reserves to the renovation—over three-fourths of the total budget. Other important contributions came from student-led fundraisers and alumni support. Chancellor Blumenthal approved the project in February 2016, and construction broke ground on November 3, 2016. The Amphitheater is scheduled to open in Fall 2017. To learn more about fundraising, please visit the Campaign for UC Santa Cruz.

The guiding principles of the renovation echo the spirit of Royston's philosophy of landscape design: to promote environmental stewardship and to foster a sense of communion with nature and community between visitors. Trees and shrubs were selectively removed to improve erosion control, while the quarry walls were graded to mitigate rockfall hazard. In the process, care was taken to protect tree roots and to monitor any impact on the vulnerable animal populations that have made the quarry home, such as black salamanders, owls, kestrels, hawks, and woodrats.

The renovation retained as many elements of Royston's design as possible, while restoring the aesthetic impact of the marble walls and redwoods. Those changes that have been made to the structure and materials of the original Amphitheater improve accessibility and comfort and will allow for a greater variety of events.

There are preliminary plans in place for a second phase of renovations, estimated to begin in 2021, though funding is not currently available. This phase would entail building a concessions and kitchen facility just east of the redwood "lobby," as well as a wide pedestrian bridge into the site. This bridge would further improve accessibility and would create another gathering space in the vicinity of the theater. This phase would also update the Amphitheater's PA system and the technological infrastructure of the stage. This "smart stage" could even allow for professors, students, or performance groups to connect their own devices and audio equipment to the PA system.

Navigate through the colored markers on the image below to learn more about the changes that have been made to the landscaping and infrastructure of the Amphitheater.

Guiding Principles

Respect the Campus Framework:  Establish a “Center of Student Life” that will inspire visitors, engage daily student experience, and strengthen physical connection with the greater campus; while respecting the natural forest system of which the site is a part.

Preserve Site Character: Expand capacity and infrastructural development for the amphitheater without compromising the intimate, immersive, spiritual and ‘magic’ quality of the landscape experience and the quirky spirit of the historic amphitheater design.

Promote Stewardship through Integrated Sustainable Design: Protect the landscape setting, promote environmental awareness and stewardship, and create a comprehensive and innovative approach to sustainable infrastructure.

Encourage Student Engagement and Program Diversity: Provide for a broad spectrum of use from casual, daily use to performance through site development and infrastructure that is flexible and multi-use in nature.

Support Financial Feasibility: Respond to campus financial goals and achieve operational sustainability through effective management of resources.

Establish Safety, Security and Universal Access: Provide universal access, a positive, safe place to learn, explore, and share; and prioritize broad student use and awareness.

Proposed Site Plan, 2016. Courtesy of UCSC Physical Planning and Construction.

Rendering of Phase II (view from redwood lobby) by Fernau and Hartman, 2016. Courtesy of UCSC Physical Planning and Construction.

Construction Photographs

Demolition begins.

Grading completed.

Grading continues for bench seating in amphitheater. Trenching begins for electrical mains in bowl.

Installation%20of%20slope%20protection%2

Slope protection completed.

installing-forms-for-concrete-stair-pour

Installing forms to pour concrete stairs.

A view from the top, nearing completion.

Photographs courtesy of UCSC Physical Planning and Construction. To see more photographs and stay updated on progress, please visit Physical Planning and Construction.