Splashes of color now ring the UCLA Luskin Public Affairs Building, replacing fences and scaffolding used during months of seismic upgrades.

With the completion of renovations in the summer of 2023, construction zones have been replaced by green spaces populated by native grasses and flowers, planted by UCLA Facilities Management in coordination with UCLA Sustainability and Hien McKnight, the School’s assistant dean for operations and administration.

Fescues, needlegrass and wildflowers in shades of red, yellow, purple, pink and white are among the 17 types of plants seeded throughout the strips of land.

They were chosen for their biodiversity, support of pollinators and climate resiliency, in keeping with the UCLA Landscape Plan, whose guiding principle is to model responsible environmental practices.

The beautification project marks the official end of the two-year renovation. While making the Public Affairs Building earthquake safe was the No. 1 goal, the project also included several other improvements, including:

• Installation of a high-security system at building entrances.
• Upgrades to restrooms, including two all-gender facilities with diaper-changing stations.
• Addition of 10 hydration stations, six of which have bottle fillers.
• Installation of shade structures in the 5th floor atrium.
• Remodeling of the 5th floor kitchen area.
• Mechanical upgrades to the building’s elevators.

The following native plants were used in the Luskin School’s new landscape:

Grasses

• Molate Creeping Red Fescue
• Western Mokelumne Fescue
• Idaho Fescue
• Purple Needlegrass

Wildflowers

• California Poppy
• Arroyo Lupine
• Farewell-to-Spring
• Baby Blue Eyes
• Chinese Houses
• Golden Lupine
• Globe Gilia
• Bird’s Eye
• Five-Spot
• Tidy Tips
• White Yarrow
• Mission Red Monkeyflower
• Blue-Eyed Grass